Electric measurement

Electric measurement, measurable, observable effects (heat, force, magnetism) of electric current. Electric current is measured in amperes (1 ampere is roughly 6 billion electrons per sec). The quantity of electricity carried by current is measured in coulombs (quantity transmitted by 1 ampere in 1 sec). Units of electric force are measured in volts (difference in potential energy between 2 points on a wire carrying 1 ampere, producing 1 watt). A kilowatt-hour is the power produced by 1,000 watts in 1 hr. Resistance (opposition of material to electric current) is measured in ohms (resistance of a conductor carrying 1 ampere when the potential difference across the conductor is 1 volt).

See also: Ampere; Coulomb.