What is the term for the rate of flow of electric charge?

The term for the rate of flow of electric charge is current. Current is measured in amperes (amps) and represents how much electric charge passes through a conductor over a given period of time. It is a fundamental concept in electricity and is crucial for understanding how electrical circuits operate.

When discussing current, it helps to visualize it as the flow of water through a pipe: just as water flows from high pressure to low pressure, electric charge flows from areas of high electric potential to low electric potential. This flow is what allows electrical devices to function.

Voltage, on the other hand, refers to the electric potential difference between two points in a circuit and is not concerned with the flow rate. Power is related to current and voltage as it is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced in a circuit, while resistance defines how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. Each of these concepts is interconnected, but current specifically denotes the flow rate of electric charge.