Voltage and current are fundamental electrical parameters that describe the behavior of electric circuits and the flow of electrical energy. They are key to understanding how electricity works.

Here’s an explanation of voltage and current:

Voltage (V):

  1. Definition: Voltage, often referred to as electric potential difference, is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in an electrical circuit. It represents the “push” or “force” that drives electric charges to move.
  2. Unit: The unit of voltage is the volt (V). One volt is defined as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge (1 V = 1 J/C).
  3. Symbol: Voltage is typically represented by the symbol “V.”
  4. Role: Voltage provides the driving force that causes electric charges (usually electrons) to flow in a circuit. It determines the potential energy difference between two points in the circuit. Charges move from higher voltage (potential) to lower voltage.
  5. Battery or Voltage Source: In a circuit, a voltage source, such as a battery or generator, supplies electrical energy by creating a voltage difference between its terminals. This voltage source creates an electric field that pushes charges in the circuit.
  6. Potential Energy: Voltage can be thought of as the electrical potential energy difference between two points. The higher the voltage, the greater the potential energy available to move charges.

Current (I):

  1. Definition: Current is a measure of the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor in an electrical circuit. It represents the movement of electric charges per unit of time.
  2. Unit: The unit of current is the ampere (A). One ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge flowing past a point in a circuit per second (1 A = 1 C/s).
  3. Symbol: Current is typically represented by the symbol “I.”
  4. Direction: Current direction is the direction in which positive charges flow, which is opposite to the actual movement of electrons (electrons flow from negative to positive). The conventional current flow is from the positive to the negative terminal of a voltage source.
  5. Role: Current is responsible for carrying electrical energy from one point in the circuit to another. It is what powers devices and does the work in an electrical circuit.
  6. Conservation: Current is conserved in a closed circuit. The total current entering a junction in a circuit must equal the total current leaving the junction.

Ohm’s Law: Voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) are related by Ohm’s law, which states that the current in a circuit is directly proportional to the voltage across the circuit and inversely proportional to the resistance:

[V = IR]

In summary, voltage represents the electric potential difference that drives charges to move, while current represents the rate of charge flow in a circuit. Together, voltage and current are essential concepts in understanding the behavior of electric circuits and the generation, transmission, and utilization of electrical energy.