What is Current?

 Electric current

The flow of free electrons (or charge) in definite direction is called electric current. The flow of electric current is shown in Fig. The copper strip has a large number of free electrons. When electric presser or voltage applied, the free electrons being negatively charged start moving towards the positive terminal around the circuit as shown in Fig. This directed flow of electrons is called electric current.

Conventionally, the direction of electric current is taken along the direction of motion of positive charges. When current is caused by electrons(e.g. in metals), the direction of current is opposite to the direction of flow.