Why is electric current not a vector?
356526
When we say a vector has direction we mean we assign it a positive or negative value relative to some coordinate system.\n\nWhile you may assign a direction to a current in a wire, it is not neccisarily fixed in a particular dimention.  Sign convention in a circuit depends on which terminal you start at.
303805
I don't see how components are necessary.  \n\n"r" and "v" are just shorthand for r(t) and v(t), assuming we are looking at position (r) and velocity (v) as time varying "vectors".  And v(t) is just the time derivative of r(t) (by DEFINITION), that is, v(t) is DEFINED as r'(t).\n\nSo there isn't any actual CONTENT in expanding them into components. We are just choosing different ways to symbolize the quantities involved and there isn't anything to prove.
88063
The previous correspondent confirmed that only a moving charge is affected by a magnetic field, but didn't actually address the question of *why* that is the case.  I will attempt to do so.  First, realize that electric fields  and magnetic fields are, under the theory of special relativity, two interrelated aspects of the same thing. Like momentum and energy, or space and time, they vary, depending on the reference frame of the observer. The values for the electric and magnetic fields in one reference frame can be transformed to the values for another reference frame by using the Lorentz transformation.\n\nNow, imagine a charge at rest in a given reference frame.  It exerts a force on other charges given by Coulombs' law.  The amount of force it exerts on those other charges depends only on the amount of charge each of our charges has, and the distance between them.  Another way of looking at this is to say our charge sets up an electric field, and the force on the other charges depends only on the strength of the field and the amount of the other charges.\n\nNow imagine that we are looking at this charge from the point of view of a reference frame that is moving with respect to the charge, so that to us the charge appears to be moving.  We take the formula for the force exerted by the charge, apply the Lorentz transformations which we have to use to relate quantities in different reference frames, and lo and behold, we not only get a force that depends on the amount of the other charges, we get a term that depends on the relative velocity of the charges.  What's more, the force of this new term is at right angles to the relative motion.  We identify this new part of the force, the part that depends on relative velocity of the charges, as the magnetic force.  Hence, the magnetic force depends on the relative motion of the charges.
98416
Once oersted was performing his regular experiments with electric currents. He had accidently kept a magnetic needle nearby. At that time there was no relation known between electricity and magnetism. But when oersted passed a current through a wire, he saw a deflection in the needle. When direction of current changed, the deflection was in the opposite direction.\nSo Oersted's law as stated in 1920 is :\nAn electric current flowing through a conductor produces a magnetic field in its surroundings. The strength of the field is a function of electric current and depends on the nature of conductor.\n\nThe further relation between electricity and magnetism was given mathematically be Faraday and Lenz.\nYour question is very much conceptual and related closely to Electromagnetism. I suggest that you check out other internet sites giving indepth info about these topics. It will be helpful for you.\nI hope this answer satisfies your query.
883687
When you say "conductors" are you talking about electrical conductors or thermal conductors?\n\nIf you are talking about electrical conductors, every conductive material has resistance.  Resistance causes the voltage to drop when current passes through.  The product of the two (voltage * current = wattage) is dissipated as heat.  \n\nAmount of heat rise is often the reason for the maximum allowable current for the wire.  (the other is the voltage drop itself)
48008
Hick_Ninja's answer is correct if as you say the current is flowing in one direction upward. The right hand rule will give you the answer. Here is an illustration of the right hand rule and how to apply it: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/magfor.html\n\nIf however, you are using an Alternating Current, then the flow direction reverses with some frequency. The right hand rule will still work, but the field is reversing. Here is a good illustration of that:\nhttp://www.sunblock99.org.uk/sb99/people/DMackay/ac.html\n\nThe problem with clockwise and counterclockwise is that they are relative to point of view. So yes, it is counterclockwise in the horizontal plane, but only if looking down on it. Here's an illustration of that:\nhttp://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/wirfor.html#c1
953505
A current is simply a flow of electrons in a direction.  These electrons collide with the materials in the wire, which in turn vibrate, thus producing heat.  A curving wire re-directs the flow of the electrons, whose inertia resists the change in velocity (direction).  The material must then act upon the electrons normal to the curve, which produces stronger collisions (greater resistivity) and thus more heat.
254462
Georg Ohm formulated the relationship between voltage and current in a conductor (resistance). See the source for details.
1121457
sinusoidal is a refrence to the sine curve.  \na sine curve, when graphed, fluxuates up and down- like a wave at sea.\nAC current fluxuates between a posative and negative charge.\ntherefore, when its charge is graphed you get a curve.  HOWEVER, THIS ISNOT A SINE CURVE.\nbecause the shifts in polarity are nearly instantaneous-and polarity is either posative or negative (no partial this or that)- the graph looks like a bunch of squares. That is, a verticle line up, horizontal line over, verticle line down, a second horizontal line over (below the first).\nbut for all intents and purposes, the curve can be called sinusoidal, so yes the current in the wire is sinusoidal in respect to its alternating polarity.
166891
not electrically conductive. carbon is the only non metal conducting element. and as for that idiot who says yes because they use it in batterys...sulphuric acid...is an ACID... ie donates H+ ions and thus leaves a - charged end behind and ions in solution will allow a current to flow
643695
From electricity...the term alternating current/direct current.
17953
In AC circuits,  actually current                   in inductors and capacitors,waveform is not in phase with voltage(You will study it later).The factor "i" ,multiplied to any vector rotates it through 90 degree in anti clockwise direction.Thus we get a mathematical technique to solve the circuit
636683
i think the 2 characteristics of a vector are-\n\nit has a definite direction and it follows the vector addition. i hope thats correct!!
368244
V (Voltage) = I (Current) x R (Resistance)\n\nOr (although you probably don't need it):\n\nJ (current density) = sigma (conductivity) x E (electric field)\n\nI always use wikipedia to look up stuff like this, it's very helpful for all kinds of info.
912115
current that flows in one direction as opposed to alternating current, which flows back and frth.
387680
Ok...you guys got this all wrong.  Voltage doesn't travel.\nThis is simple:\n\nSeries:\nAll series stuff see the same current\n\nParallel:\nAll parallel stuff see the same voltage
827987
No, it's an independant variable (in the sense that it's not a linear combination of other variables such as length, mass, or charge) and, since it's linearly independant, it can be used as a dimension (or one of the spanning vectors) in a vector space.\n\n\nDoug