Electric Current as a Fundamental Quantity

Electric current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor. It is measured in amperes (A) and represented by the symbol ‘I’. The formula for electric current is I = Q/t, where Q is the charge passing through a conductor in a time t. It is a fundamental quantity because of the following reasons:

1. Independent Quantity

Electric current is an independent quantity. It cannot be defined in terms of other physical quantities. It is a basic quantity that is used to define other electrical quantities like voltage, resistance, and power.

2. SI Unit

Electric current is a fundamental quantity because it is one of the seven base quantities in the International System of Units (SI). The SI unit of electric current is the ampere (A).

3. Directly Measurable

Electric current is a directly measurable quantity. It can be measured using a current meter or ammeter. The measurement of electric current is necessary for many practical applications, such as in electrical circuits and power systems.

4. Conserved Quantity

Electric charge is conserved, and hence, electric current is also a conserved quantity. The conservation of electric charge is a fundamental principle of nature. It is essential in understanding the behavior of electric current in different physical systems.

5. Universal

Electric current is a universal quantity. It is relevant in all fields of physics, from classical electromagnetism to quantum mechanics. It is also relevant in many areas of technology, such as electronics, electrical engineering, and power systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, electric current is a fundamental quantity because it is an independent quantity, has an SI unit, is directly measurable, is a conserved quantity, and is universal. It is a basic quantity that is used to define other electrical quantities and is essential in understanding the behavior of electric circuits and power systems.

Current is a fundamental quantity because we can measure current more easily by using ammeter but counting the number of charges on a body is not possible. And a fundamental quantity must be easy to measure and of suitable size therefore we use current as the fundamental quantity instead of charges.