Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

When electricity was first studied, electrons were unknown. Scientists assumed current was due to the flow of positive charges, so the direction of current was defined as the direction of positive charge flow — from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a cell. This convention was established before electrons were discovered.

Practical consequence: In circuit analysis, conventional current is always taken to flow from the positive to the negative terminal (through the external circuit), opposite to the actual electron flow. This does not affect calculations, as the results remain the same regardless of which direction is chosen as positive.

Source: Chapter 11, Section 11.1 — Electric Current and Circuit

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• Key fact examiners look for: The convention was set historically, before electrons were known — state this clearly.
• Mention that current direction = opposite to electron flow.
• The practical consequence: circuits are analysed with conventional current (+ to −), and all laws (Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws) work correctly with this convention.
• Don't write a long essay — two short paragraphs covering "why" and "consequence" is sufficient for 3 marks.