# State what is meant by 'conventional current' and explain why the direction of conventional current in a metal wire is opposite to the direction of electron flow.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625) — 4.2 Electrical quantities · State and Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Conventional current is defined as the rate of flow of positive charge / flows from positive terminal to negative terminal
2. In a metal, the charge carriers are (free) electrons, which are negatively charged
3. Electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal
4. Because electrons are negative, their direction of flow is opposite to that of positive charge flow / opposite to conventional current

## Key terms

- [conventional current](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/conventional-current)
- [electron flow](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/electron-flow)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Physics (0625)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "State and 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/state-what-is-meant-by-conventional-4e17a481) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.