IIT JEE , AIEEE Forum - Physics , General

aruthu

how come electric current is a fundamental physical quantity?is it not derived from charge and time?so shouldnt electric charge be the fundamental physical quantity?

bhartibhanushali

its the 4 dimension

feynmann

If I take current ( instead of charge ) what is the prob ?

It is depending on me which one to choose .

If u think charge should be THE fundamental qty instead of current ( influenced by reading electrostatics first ) then u are on the wrong track .

tarinbansal

These are conventions accepted by international scientists and U cant go and fight with them over this issue.
If U R preparing for IITJEE then dont worry, they will never ask u why current is a fundamental quantity. So dont waste ur time on such things.

feynmann

No .... I appreciate this type of qn .

See , if u have the proper understanding of the subject then u dont need to go for rank , rank will follow u .

So , be cool & post whatever doubt comes to ur mind . Atleast , I am there to get benefit from it .

elessar_iitkgp

Well said feynmann. You stick true to the spirit of the great physicist after whom you have chosen your nick.

@aruthu,
I don't know exactly why such a choice is made. What seems probable is that its is the operational reason. The presence of charge (as well as mass) is felt only by the effect it creates. One of these effects is current electricity, for which we cam measure reasonably well whatever we want. So even though the method is actually an indirect estimation of a more fundamental physical quantity, we do so because its easier.

I repeat however, that this is at best an educated guess. I urge all goiit members to put up more such questions so that we can all expand our knowledge. Further discussions on this topic would be lovely.

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