Science, Tech, Math › Science Scientific Definitions of Current Print MirageC / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 15, 2020 In science, the word "current" refers to the flow of a medium. The specific definition depends on the context: Definition (Electricity) Read More What Is an Electrical Current? By Andrew Zimmerman Jones Current is the rate of flow of electricity. The unit of current is the ampere (A) which is defined as 1 ampere = 1 coulomb per second. Definition (Fluid) Current is the flow of a fluid, such as a gas or liquid. Air currents refer to air, while ocean currents and rip currents refer to water. A typical unit is meters per second (m/s). Definition (Quantum Mechanics) In physics, a current may refer to a probability current, which is also called a probability flux. This is a quantity that described the probability of flow in terms of unit time per unit area. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Scientific Definitions of Current." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/current-definition-606756. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 29). Scientific Definitions of Current. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/current-definition-606756 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Scientific Definitions of Current." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/current-definition-606756 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation