Electricity

Current - Amps

The "rate of flow of coulombs" (called "current") around an electric circuit
is measured in amps.

1 Amp = 1 Coulomb per second.

The word "per" means "divided by",
so  current = charge ÷ time.

Current, which is given the symbol I, is shown using an ammeter.

Ammeter

The ammeter, shown as a circle with the letter A inside,
is always connected in series with a component.

If the ammeter reads 1 Amp,
then the current (I) = 1 Amp at that point in the circuit.
I = 1 Amp = 1 Coulomb per second.

If the ammeter reads 6 Amps,
then I = 6 Amps = 6 Coulombs per second.

Charge, which is given the symbol Q, is measured in Coulombs.

So current = charge ÷ time.
I = Q ÷ t

This can be rearranged to give
Q = I x t,
or,   charge = current x time (See equations).