Flow of Charges

Flow of Charges

Suppose you have two metallic spheres; one having more negative charge (excess of electrons) and the other having more positive charge (deficiency of electrons). When you connect them both with the help of a metallic wire, excess electrons from the negatively charged sphere will start flowing towards the positively charged sphere. This flow continues till the number of electrons in both the sphere is equal. Here, the positively charged sphere is said to be at higher potential and the negatively chigher potential. This is known electric current (flow of electrons). The difference between these potentials is known as potential difference, commonly known as voltage.

Before the discovery of electrons, it was considered that electric current is due to the flow of positive charges. Flow of positive charge is called conventional current. Conventional current flows from higher potential to lower potential