What term refers to the flow of negative charges in an electric circuit?

The term that refers to the flow of negative charges in an electric circuit is electron current. In an electric circuit, electrons, which carry a negative charge, are the primary charge carriers. When discussing electricity, we often differentiate between the conventional flow of current, which is defined as the flow of positive charge from positive to negative, and the actual flow of electrons, which moves from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

Electron current specifically highlights the movement of electrons, directly tying to the physical reality of charge movement in conductive materials. Understanding this concept is crucial because it helps clarify how circuits operate and the role of different components, such as resistors and capacitors, in directing and managing the flow of electrons.

The other options focus on different concepts related to current: conventional current addresses the historical convention of positive charge flow, conduction current generally pertains to the broader concept of charge movement, and positive current does not accurately describe the negative flows of electrons in circuits. Thus, identifying electron current as the correct term reinforces the understanding of charge movement in electrical circuits.