Why current is not considered a vector even if the direction of current is specified?
A vector quantity is one which has both magnitude and direction. The direction of current is opposite to the flow of electrons. Electric current has both magnitude and direction so ideally it ‘should’ be a vector. But all sources say it’s a scalar just because it does not follow vector addition.
Why current does not follow vector law of addition?
To be precise, current is not a vector quantity. Although current has a specific direction and magnitude, it does not obey the law of vector addition.
Why is current element a vector quantity?
The Biot-Savart’s law gives the magnetic field produced due to a current carrying segment. This segment is taken as a vector quantity known as the current element. The direction of this element is along that of the current so that it forms a vector Idl.
Do Vectors have both magnitude and direction?
vector, in physics, a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is typically represented by an arrow whose direction is the same as that of the quantity and whose length is proportional to the quantity’s magnitude. Although a vector has magnitude and direction, it does not have position.
Why do current and electrons flow in opposite direction?
Electrons being negatively charged flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the voltage source. So, the actual direction of current should be from negative to positive terminal. So, the current flow is considered in the direction opposite to the direction of flow of electrons.
Why does current have direction?
The direction of an electric current is by convention the direction in which a positive charge would move. Thus, the current in the external circuit is directed away from the positive terminal and toward the negative terminal of the battery. Electrons would actually move through the wires in the opposite direction.
Why current density is a vector but current is a scalar?
The current is a scalar quantity. Current density is a vector quantity because it’s a product of charge density and velocity, here charge density is a scalar quantity and velocity is a vector quantity, which makes current density also a vector quantity.
Is current density scalar or vector?
Despite being the ratio of two scalar quantities, current density is a vector.
Why current is a scalar quantity?
Why electric current is a scalar quantity? In the case of electric current, when two currents meet at a junction, the resultant current of these will be an algebraic sum and not the vector sum. Therefore, an electric current is a scalar quantity although it possesses magnitude and direction.
What are two concepts that have both magnitude and direction?
Physical concepts such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration are all examples of quantities that can be represented by vectors. Each of these quantities has both a magnitude (how far or how fast) and a direction.
Which of the following quantities have both magnitude and direction?
A quantity which has both magnitude and direction is called vector quantities.
Can current flow in both directions?
No, you cannot have multiple currents flowing in different directions in the same wire because all real wires have resistance. It will lead to inconsistencies with respect to other considerations, such as power dissipation.
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