What is the basic unit of electric current?

The basic unit of electric current is the ampere. It is defined as the flow of electric charge through a conductor over time. One ampere corresponds to one coulomb of charge passing through a point in a circuit in one second. The recognition of the ampere as the standard unit for measuring electric current is essential in understanding electrical systems, as it helps quantify how much electric charge is moving, which is critical in everything from simple circuits to complex electrical networks.

In contrast, the other choices represent different electrical concepts. The volt is the unit of electric potential, which measures the potential difference that drives current through a circuit. The watt is a unit of power, indicating the rate of energy transfer or conversion, while the ohm is the unit of electrical resistance, which quantifies how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. Knowing the definitions and applications of these other units helps to clarify why the ampere is specifically designated as the unit for electric current.