# A student sets up a simple series circuit containing a battery, a switch and a lamp. When the switch is closed, charge flows around the circuit and the lamp lights up. Explain what is meant by electric current in this circuit and describe how the amount of charge passing a point in the circuit is related to both the current and the time for which the switch is closed.

> Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0) — 3.1 Charge and current · Explain · 5 marks

> Electric current is the rate of flow of charge. In a circuit, charge is carried by electrons moving through the conducting wires.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Electric current is the rate of flow of charge (through a point in the circuit)
2. Charge is measured in coulombs (C) and current is measured in amperes / amps (A)
3. The greater the current, the greater the charge that passes a point (in a given time)
4. The longer the switch is closed (the greater the time), the greater the total charge that passes a point
5. Charge = current × time (charge is directly proportional to both current and time)

## Key terms

- [electric current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/electric-current)
- [charge](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/charge)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-sets-up-a-simple-71cba1d9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.