How is current measured?

Current is measured in amperes, which is the standard unit of measurement for electrical current in the International System of Units (SI). The concept of current refers to the flow of electric charge in a circuit, and one ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge passing through a conductor in one second. This provides a clear understanding of how much electric charge is being carried.

Understanding current is fundamental to studying electricity because it directly affects how devices operate within an electrical system. While volts measure electric potential or voltage, ohms measure resistance to the flow of current, and watts measure power consumed by an electrical device, they are not measures of current itself. Therefore, amperes are the only choice that correctly identifies the unit used to quantify the flow of electric charge.