Electricity Poll: which way were you taught?

  • Context: High School 
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    Electricity Poll
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the direction of electricity flow as taught in various educational contexts, exploring differences in terminology and conceptual understanding across different countries and educational systems. Participants share their experiences and the nuances of teaching methods related to conventional current and electron flow.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants indicate they were taught that current flows from positive to negative, while electrons flow from negative to positive.
  • Others mention being taught both methods at different educational stages, such as military tech school and college.
  • A few participants express confusion over the terminology used, noting that "electricity" and "current" are often used interchangeably, which can lead to misunderstandings.
  • Some contributions highlight the historical context of the conventions used in teaching electricity flow, referencing early experiments and notation.
  • There are mentions of specific educational experiences, such as learning about electron flow in the context of vacuum tubes or through practical projects like a Van de Graaff generator.
  • One participant notes that the teaching of current flow can vary significantly based on the educational institution and the focus of the curriculum.
  • Several participants emphasize the importance of distinguishing between conventional current and electron flow when discussing electricity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on a single method of teaching electricity flow, with multiple competing views and experiences shared throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the clarity of the terms used in their education, and there are references to the ambiguity in defining "electricity" versus "current." The discussion reflects a variety of educational backgrounds and the evolution of understanding over time.

In What Direction Were You Taught Electricity Flows?

  • Negative to Positive

    Votes: 17 45.9%

  • Positive to Negative

    Votes: 20 54.1%
  • Total voters
    37
  • #31
Pythagorean said:
pardon my reluctance to laugh, the charge wasn't moving enough for me.
Watt? You're just being negative. That's no way to conduct yourself. You have more potential.
 
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  • #32
zoobyshoe said:
Watt? You're just being negative. That's no way to conduct yourself. You have more potential.

I have my domains conflicted! I can't help it. I'm becoming hysteresical!
 
  • #33
Pythagorean said:
I have my domains conflicted! I can't help it. I'm becoming hysteresical!
Galvanize your will, transform your attitude, and ground yourself in reality!
 
  • #34
:approve:
zoobyshoe said:
Watt? You're just being negative. That's no way to conduct yourself. You have more potential.
 
  • #35
Ohm I god, I'm positive we were taught both ways and alternated.
 
  • #36
The real question is, do you use ohms or mhos?

Reminds me of an old joke I just made up. Have you ever heard an electrical engineer meditating? "Ohhhhhhhm, Ohhhhhhhm, Ohhhhhhhm..."
 
  • #37
The thread has a massive capacity farad lot of trolling.
 
  • #38
rollcast said:
The thread has a massive capacity farad lot of trolling.

We'll oppose a resistance to being rectified.
 
  • #39
Ivan Seeking said:
The real question is, do you use ohms or mhos?

Reminds me of an old joke I just made up. Have you ever heard an electrical engineer meditating? "Ohhhhhhhm, Ohhhhhhhm, Ohhhhhhhm..."

mhos = Siemens = 1/ohm
 
  • #40
I believe we have a new induction into the "classic thread" forum.

It might even happen automatically, through self-inductance.
 
Last edited:
  • #41
I feel everyone is so charged up with troll energy here.
Maybe we just need a bit of time to Coulomb down a bit.
 
  • #42
Chi Meson said:
I like to point out that it's all Ben Franklin's fault for calling the glass rod "Positive."

Absolutely. Battery terminals should be labelled Affirmative and Negative IMO.
 
  • #43
please calculate the charge/mass ratio of an affirmatron...
 
  • #44
rollcast said:
I feel everyone is so charged up with troll energy here.
Maybe we just need a bit of time to Coulomb down a bit.

Yeah, I don't want any static!

[Note: this should only be considered a potential joke]
 
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  • #45
The whole thread has me polarized.

I remember waaaay back that it was necessary to polarize the generator on a positive grounded vehicle whenever the generator or voltage regulator was replaced.

The old mechanic who taught me how to do it said it was necessary in order to get the current worms moving in the right direction.:wink:
 
  • #46
Chi Meson said:
I teach students simultaneously that "current" is from + to - , while electrons (which are the only things flowing in solid conductors) drift from - to + .

I like to point out that it's all Ben Franklin's fault for calling the glass rod "Positive."

(I want to go back in time so I could ask "Are you sure?"

and he would reply

"Yes, positive.")

Yet nevertheless, franklin, he was in lightning.
 
  • #47
edward said:
The whole thread has me polarized.

I remember waaaay back that it was necessary to polarize the generator on a positive grounded vehicle whenever the generator or voltage regulator was replaced.

The old mechanic who taught me how to do it said it was necessary in order to get the current worms moving in the right direction.:wink:
That brings back memories when I was way young.
 
  • #48
Chi Meson said:
I believe we have a new induction into the "classic thread" forum.

It might even happen automatically, through self-inductance.
rollcast said:
I feel everyone is so charged up with troll energy here.
Maybe we just need a bit of time to Coulomb down a bit.
Yes, I'm amazed so many are electrified by the current trend in humor.
 
  • #49
zoobyshoe said:
Yes, I'm amazed so many are electrified by the current trend in humor.

And we have done it all with no shorts.
 
  • #50
I don't believe in shorts, just heating elements.
 
  • #51
edward said:
And we have done it all with no shorts.
If that's a circuitous way of saying you post naked then, paradoxically, those who post well insulated are the same ones who have the most shorts.
 
  • #52
zoobyshoe said:
If that's a circuitous way of saying you post naked then, paradoxically, those who post well insulated are the same ones who have the most shorts.

:smile:
 
  • #53
OOps I had a close call with continuity on that last phase.
 
  • #54
I was immediately told both sides at the same time. Basically, I was told that electrons move from negative to positive; but because of the unfortunate convention, an electron is like a ''negative unit'' of current, so current goes from positive to negative.

I don't see how it can be taught in any other way without misleading people.
 
  • #55
UK. -ve to +ve.
 
  • #56
In high school I also learned how long it took for the electrons to move from the light switch to the light bulb, like other people in the thread.
 
  • #57
Monique said:
In high school I also learned how long it took for the electrons to move from the light switch to the light bulb, like other people in the thread.

Don't the lights in most people's houses run on AC?
 

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