Fundamental units in electricity: One coulomb of charge passing a point in one second corresponds to which SI unit?

Introduction / Context:Electrical measurements rely on a coherent set of SI units. The relationship between charge, time, and current helps connect physical intuition about moving electrons with practical instrument readings such as current in amperes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Charge quantity Q = 1 coulomb passes a reference point.
• Elapsed time t = 1 second.
• Standard SI definitions apply.

Concept / Approach:Current is defined as the time rate of flow of electric charge. The formal relationship is I = Q / t. Using SI units, when Q is measured in coulombs and t in seconds, the resulting unit for I is the ampere.

Step-by-Step Solution:Write the definition: I = Q / t.Substitute values: Q = 1 C and t = 1 s.Compute: I = 1 C / 1 s = 1 C s^-1.Recognize unit: 1 C s^-1 is by definition 1 ampere.

Verification / Alternative check:Instrument calibration standards and physics textbooks consistently define the ampere as coulombs per second, aligning lab practice with theory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:Volt: unit of electric potential difference, not charge flow rate.Ohm: unit of resistance, defined as volt per ampere.Coulomb: unit of charge itself, not the rate of charge passage.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing electrical quantities (V, A, Ω) because they often appear together in Ohm's law.Thinking of current as speed rather than rate of charge transfer.

Final Answer:Ampere