Electron flow is the movement of electrons from one point to another in a circuit or material. It is the flow of negatively charged particles from an area of high concentration (negative) to an area of low concentration (positive).
Electrons flow from the negative terminal of a power source to the positive terminal. This is known as conventional current, as it was historically thought that current flowed from positive to negative. However, in reality, electrons flow from negative to positive.
Electron flow is what allows electrical devices to function. When electrons flow through a circuit, they carry energy and power the device. The direction and amount of electron flow can determine the functionality of the device.
Electrons play a crucial role in chemical reactions. They are responsible for the transfer of energy and bonding between atoms. Electrons are shared or exchanged between atoms to form new molecules, and this process is essential for life and various chemical processes.
Electron flow is typically measured in amperes (A), which is the unit of electric current. Amperes measure the rate at which electric charge flows through a circuit. Other common units for measuring electron flow include coulombs per second (C/s) and milliamperes (mA).