$I = Q/t$

Definition

The equation $I = Q/t$ represents the relationship between electric current (I), electric charge (Q), and time (t). It states that the electric current is equal to the amount of electric charge that passes through a given cross-section of a conductor divided by the time it takes for that charge to pass through.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The equation $I = Q/t$ is used to calculate the electric current flowing through a conductor.
2. The electric current is proportional to the amount of electric charge that passes through a given cross-section of the conductor.
3. The time variable in the equation represents the duration over which the electric charge is measured.
4. The equation can be rearranged to solve for any of the three variables (current, charge, or time) if the other two are known.
5. The unit of electric current is the ampere (A), which is equivalent to one coulomb of charge passing through a cross-section per second (C/s).

Review Questions

• Explain how the equation $I = Q/t$ can be used to calculate the electric current in a circuit.
  • The equation $I = Q/t$ can be used to calculate the electric current in a circuit by measuring the amount of electric charge (Q) that passes through a given cross-section of the conductor and the time (t) it takes for that charge to pass through. By dividing the charge by the time, you can determine the rate of flow of the electric charge, which is the electric current (I). This relationship is fundamental to understanding and analyzing the behavior of electric circuits.
• Describe how the variables in the equation $I = Q/t$ are related and how changes in one variable can affect the others.
  • The variables in the equation $I = Q/t$ are directly related to one another. If the amount of electric charge (Q) passing through a cross-section increases, and the time (t) remains constant, the electric current (I) will increase proportionally. Conversely, if the time (t) it takes for a given amount of charge (Q) to pass through a cross-section increases, the electric current (I) will decrease. Understanding these relationships is crucial for analyzing and predicting the behavior of electric circuits and the flow of electric charge.
• Evaluate how the equation $I = Q/t$ can be used to determine the efficiency of an electrical system or device.
  • The equation $I = Q/t$ can be used to assess the efficiency of an electrical system or device by considering the relationship between the input and output electric charge and the time it takes for that charge to flow. If the output charge (Q) and time (t) are known, the equation can be used to calculate the output current (I). By comparing the input and output currents, the efficiency of the system or device can be determined. This analysis can help identify areas for improvement and optimize the performance of electrical systems and devices.

Related terms

Electric Current: The rate of flow of electric charge, typically measured in amperes (A).

Electric Charge: A fundamental property of matter that can be positive or negative, measured in coulombs (C).

Time: The duration over which a physical process or event occurs, measured in seconds (s).