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Direction of current
Beginner
Conventional current flows from positive to negative.
Conventional current flows from the positive terminal to the negative, the way positive charges would move. Electrons actually drift the opposite way in wires.
Arrows on circuit diagrams follow the convention.
The choice doesn't change physics, only signs.
In more detail
Conventional current is taken to flow from positive to negative, opposite to the actual motion of electrons in metals. Both descriptions give the same circuit behaviour.
Real-world uses
- Circuit diagrams use conventional current for consistency across engineering.
- Electrolyte and semiconductor physics use both positive and negative carriers.
- Circuit diagrams show conventional current from the positive terminal, even though electrons actually move the other way.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is conventional current used?
It was defined before electrons were discovered, and it is still used for convenience.
Do electrons really flow the other way?
Yes, in metals electrons move from negative to positive terminals.
Why is conventional current defined backward?
It was chosen before the electron was discovered, and the convention still works because the equations are consistent.