Current Definition in Science

The Different Meanings of "Current" in Science

Abstract representation of current
Current refers to flow, as of electricity, water, or air.

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by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated January 15, 2020

In science, the word "current" refers to the flow of a medium. The specific definition depends on the context:

Definition (Electricity)

Current is the rate of flow of electricity. The unit of current is the ampere (A) which is defined as 1 ampere = 1 coulomb per second.

Definition (Fluid)

Current is the flow of a fluid, such as a gas or liquid. Air currents refer to air, while ocean currents and rip currents refer to water. A typical unit is meters per second (m/s).

Definition (Quantum Mechanics)

In physics, a current may refer to a probability current, which is also called a probability flux. This is a quantity that described the probability of flow in terms of unit time per unit area.