1 Answer
The correct direction of current flow depends on the type of current:
1. **Conventional Current Flow**: This is the direction that positive charges would flow. It is considered the "correct" direction for most electrical circuit analysis. By convention, current flows **from the positive terminal to the negative terminal** of a power source, like a battery.
2. **Electron Flow**: In reality, it's the electrons that move in the wire, and electrons are negatively charged. Since they are attracted to the positive terminal and repelled by the negative terminal, **electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal**.
So, while **conventional current** flows **from positive to negative**, **electron flow** is in the opposite direction, **from negative to positive**.
In practice, when we're designing and analyzing circuits, we usually stick with the **conventional current** direction because it simplifies understanding and calculations.
1. **Conventional Current Flow**: This is the direction that positive charges would flow. It is considered the "correct" direction for most electrical circuit analysis. By convention, current flows **from the positive terminal to the negative terminal** of a power source, like a battery.
2. **Electron Flow**: In reality, it's the electrons that move in the wire, and electrons are negatively charged. Since they are attracted to the positive terminal and repelled by the negative terminal, **electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal**.
So, while **conventional current** flows **from positive to negative**, **electron flow** is in the opposite direction, **from negative to positive**.
In practice, when we're designing and analyzing circuits, we usually stick with the **conventional current** direction because it simplifies understanding and calculations.