Explanation:

When an electric current flows through a conductor, it is actually the flow of free electrons in the conductor that is responsible for the current. The movement of these electrons through the conductor is the current.

Free Electrons:

In a conductor, the electrons in the outermost shell of the atoms are loosely bound to the nucleus and are free to move around. These free electrons can be easily influenced by an electric field and can flow through the conductor. When a potential difference is applied across a conductor, the free electrons move from the negative terminal towards the positive terminal, thus creating an electric current.

Atomic Structure:

The atoms in a conductor do not move when an electric current flows through it. The atoms remain stationary in their position while the free electrons move around them. The movement of these free electrons is random and is not affected by the presence of the atoms.

Attraction and Repulsion:

The movement of free electrons in a conductor is not affected by the attraction or repulsion between atoms and free electrons. The atoms in a conductor do not attract or repel free electrons. The free electrons move through the conductor due to the applied potential difference and the presence of the electric field.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, when an electric current flows through a conductor, it is actually the movement of free electrons in the conductor that is responsible for the current. The atoms in the conductor remain stationary while the free electrons move around them. The movement of these free electrons is not affected by the attraction or repulsion between atoms and free electrons.