4.3.2

Conventional Current

Test yourself

Conventional Current

Conventional current flows from the positive end of the battery to the negative end. This is despite current being caused by the flow of electrons from negative to positive (in the other direction).

Illustrative background for Old theoryIllustrative background for Old theory ?? "content

Old theory

  • Before electrons were discovered, scientists thought that electric currents were due to the flow of positive charges.
  • They thought that positive charges moved through the circuit from the positive end of a battery to the negative end.
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The discovery of electrons

  • The discovery of electrons proved that theory wrong.
  • Electrons actually flow from the negative end of the battery to the positive end of the battery.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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