What unit measures the amount of current flowing in a circuit?

The unit that measures the amount of current flowing in a circuit is the ampere, commonly referred to as an amp. This unit quantifies the flow of electric charge in a defined period, specifically the amount of charge (measured in coulombs) that passes a point in an electrical circuit over a specified time (one second).

For example, in a circuit, when you hear that the current is one amp, it indicates that one coulomb of charge is flowing past a certain point every second. Understanding this concept is fundamental in fields related to electricity and electronics, as it lays the groundwork for further discussions around resistance, voltage, and overall circuit behavior.

In contrast, other units mentioned might measure different aspects of electrical systems: volts measure electrical potential difference (voltage), ohms gauge electrical resistance, and watts quantify power, which represents the rate of energy transfer.