Is electric current scalar or vector?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking whether electric current has magnitude only (scalar) or both magnitude and direction (vector). This involves understanding the properties of electric current in physics.

More Information

Electric current is considered a scalar quantity because it follows the scalar addition laws rather than vector addition laws. Although it has a direction in which the positive charge flows, it does not fully satisfy the conditions required to be treated as a vector.

Tips

A common mistake is to assume electric current is a vector because it has direction. However, it does not follow the laws of vector addition.

Sources

• Why electric current is a scalar with definition - BYJU'S - byjus.com
• Electric current is a scalar quantity but it possesses magnitude and direction - Unacademy - unacademy.com
• Why is current a scalar quantity? - Physics Stack Exchange - physics.stackexchange.com