Conventional direction of electric current is froma)Lower potential to...
Conventional current flows out of the positive terminal of the voltage source, flows though the load or circuit elements and returns to negative terminal of the voltage source. Inside the voltage source, it flows from negative to positive terminal, and again flows our of the positive terminal.
In voltage sources, current always flow out of the positive terminal and enters into negative terminal after travelling through load / circuit elements. In load and circuit elements (other than voltage / current sources), voltage drop has positive polarity where the current enters and negative, where the current flows out.
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Conventional direction of electric current is froma)Lower potential to...
Explanation:
Electric current refers to the flow of electric charge in a conductor. The direction of electric current is defined as the direction in which positive charges would flow if they were free to move. Conventionally, the direction of electric current is considered to be from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.
Positive Terminal to Negative Terminal:
When a battery or any other source of electric potential difference is connected to a circuit, it establishes an electric field within the circuit. This electric field creates a force on the electric charges present in the conductor, causing them to move. In a circuit, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the higher potential, and the negative terminal is connected to the lower potential. As a result, the positive charges (conventional current) flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.
Opposite Direction for Electrons:
Although the conventional direction of electric current is from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, in reality, the actual charge carriers in most conductors are negatively charged electrons. Electrons flow in the opposite direction to the conventional current, i.e., from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. This is because electrons are negatively charged and are attracted towards the positive terminal.
Historical Convention:
The convention of considering the direction of electric current from the positive terminal to the negative terminal was established before the discovery of the electron. At that time, it was not known that the actual charge carriers were electrons. Therefore, the convention was based on the flow of positive charges, which were thought to be the primary carriers of current.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the conventional direction of electric current is considered to be from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, even though the actual flow of electrons is in the opposite direction. This convention is based on historical reasons and the flow of positive charges in a circuit.
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