4. Conventional current

The potential of electric charges can be determined by the concentration of charges at a particular point. The number of electric charges at a point can be increased by doing some amount of work. The work done in moving a unit positive charge to a specific point is known as Electric potential. It is measured in terms of volts (\(V\)).

 

In other words, electric potential determines the direction of current flow. Charges will always flow from a higher electric potential to a lower electric potential point.

A positively charged proton is at a higher potential as compared to a negatively charged electron. Hence, the protons move from a higher potential to a lower potential, whereas the electrons move from the lower potential to a higher potential.

 

 

The flow of negatively charged electrons is always opposite to the direction of protons. Hence, the direction of conventional current is always opposite to the direction of electron current.

 

In a conducting wire, the conventional current moves from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the battery. At the same time, the electron current (negative charge) moves from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the battery.

 

 

The direction of electrons makes the electric current move from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the circuit.