In a simple circuit, current flows from which direction to which?

In a simple circuit, current flows from which direction to which?

• A. From positive to negative
• B. From negative to positive
• C. In a circle both directions
• D. It doesn't flow

Answer: (A)

Conventional current is defined as the flow of positive charge from higher electrical potential to lower electrical potential. In a simple circuit powered by a battery, this means current leaves the battery’s positive terminal, travels through the wires and components, and returns to the battery at the negative terminal. Electrons move in the opposite direction—from negative to positive—but the standard current direction used in circuit analysis is from positive to negative. A closed circuit requires this single direction of current flow; saying it doesn’t flow or that it goes both ways doesn’t fit a straightforward DC loop.

Conventional current is defined as the flow of positive charge from higher electrical potential to lower electrical potential. In a simple circuit powered by a battery, this means current leaves the battery’s positive terminal, travels through the wires and components, and returns to the battery at the negative terminal. Electrons move in the opposite direction—from negative to positive—but the standard current direction used in circuit analysis is from positive to negative. A closed circuit requires this single direction of current flow; saying it doesn’t flow or that it goes both ways doesn’t fit a straightforward DC loop.