Why is the Flow of Electrons and Current Opposite to Each Other?
Current and electrons have always been an interesting topic. People are so curious about it and they continue to research for more new information and facts. Why current is opposite to the flow of electrons? It should be in the same direction, right? Have we ever wondered why?
Electric current is the flow of electric charge, electric current is the flow of electrons that carry a negative electric charge. A flow of positive charge in a given direction is similar to a flow of negative charge in the opposite direction. The flow of electrons is electron current. Electrons flow from the positive to the negative charge. It behaves as a positive charge carrier that causes the current to flow.
As electrons are negatively charged, electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the voltage source. So the direction of the current should be like the electrons, from the negative to the positive terminal. Conventional current beliefs that current flows out of the positive terminal, through the circuit, and into the negative terminal of the source. This was the convention chosen during the discovery of electricity. But guess what? The theory was wrong!
Electron flow is what actually happens and electrons flow out of the negative terminal, through the circuit, and the positive terminal of the source.
As long as the current is used consistently it makes no difference which way the current is flowing. the direction of the current flow doesn't affect what the current does. Current is the flow of electrons within material like copper wire. In metallic things, the electrons flow from low potential to high potential. We know that current has the same direction as the positive charges. If the current flowing wire is connected in a circuit with resistance the current always flows from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal. The explanation for this is that the wire used in the circuit has free electrons. When a potential difference is created in a battery, the free electrons are excited and start moving to the positive terminal of the battery. Current flows from the positive terminal. Therefore these free electrons go in the opposite direction of the current. Another fact is the charges will vary depending upon the material. If it is negative the electron flow will be opposite and if it is positive it will be in the same direction.
To know more: Direction of current flow