b) Electric current

e) current as the movement of electrons in metals and movement of ions in electrolytes

b) conventional current and electron flow

electric current in metals = the movement of electrons

• most electrons are fixed to their atoms + some electrons are free to move

• metals structure → a lattice of positive ions surrounded by delocalised electrons

electric current in electrolytes → the movement of ions

• electrolytes = molten or aqueous ionic solutions

• separates into positive and negative ions → attracted to the cathode and anode

conventional current = the representation of electric current as travelling from the positive to the negative terminal

• electric current in metals → always travels from the negative to the positive terminal

  • opposite in direction to the conventional current

• electric current in electrolytes → can travel from the negative to the positive or from the positive to the negative terminal

  • in the same or opposite direction to the conventional current