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Physics---Current and charge

• Message 1. 

  Posted by U15028368 (U15028368) on Monday, 25th February 2013

  Hi there,
  
  I would like to know simply what the difference is between charge and current.
  
  Thank you
  Rayyanah

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by The Bitesize Science Teacher (U14392404) on Tuesday, 26th February 2013

  Electric charge is a fundamental property - some particles have it and some don't. The electron carries a tiny charge of 1.6 × 10^-19 coulombs. As this is so small we often talk about relative charge, which is -1 for the electron.
  
  In metals, electric current is caused when electrons move through the metal structure. The rate of flow of these charged particles is the current. One amp (1 A) is the flow of one coulomb (1 C) of charge per second. This would be 6.25 × 10^18 electrons per second (just over six million million million - a lot!)
  

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Leonie (U15028601) on Tuesday, 26th February 2013

  In simple terms current is the flow of electric charge. So basically the crrent carries the charge. Theres not really a difference I think.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by The Bitesize Science Teacher (U14392404) on Tuesday, 26th February 2013

  There is a difference. Think of a river - the water represents the charge but it's only a current while the water is moving down the river.

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