Physics – 4.2.2 Electric current | e-Consult

Conventional current is defined as the flow of positive charge. Historically, before the discovery of electrons, it was observed that positive charges seemed to move from the positive terminal of a battery to the negative terminal. This observation led to the convention of defining current as flowing in this direction.

However, the actual movement of charge carriers in most conductors is due to the movement of free electrons. These electrons are negatively charged. Therefore, the free electrons actually move from the negative terminal of a battery to the positive terminal. This is the direction of electron flow.

In summary: Conventional current flows from positive to negative, while electrons flow from negative to positive. The convention is a historical one, while the electron flow is the fundamental physical process.