1.04 Definition of Current.

Electrical current is a measure of the rate at which charge flows through a cct.
i.e. Current (I), is a measure of the quantity (Q), of charge that passes a point in the circuit, in a time (t) of one second.

I = Q/t .

I is the current measured in Amps (A).
Q is the total charge measured in Coulombs (C).
t is the time taken for the charge, to flow past a point in a circuit, measured in seconds (s).

1 Amp = 1 coulomb per sec, 1A = 1Cs^-1.

Example.
A charge of 60C flows through a circuit in 2 minutes,
calculate the current.

Q = 60C.
I = ?
t = 2minute = 120 seconds.

I = Q/t I = 60/120 therefore I = 0.5A.