Understanding the Relationship Between Coulomb and Ampere in Physics

In summary, the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere in physics illustrates how electric charge and current are interconnected. Coulomb measures the quantity of electric charge, while Ampere quantifies electric current, defined as the flow of charge per unit time. The two concepts are linked through Coulomb's law, which describes the force between charged particles, and the principles of electromagnetism, where current generates a magnetic field. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing electrical circuits and the behavior of charged particles in various physical contexts.
  • #1
Elementi
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TL;DR Summary
Coulomb, base units.
Hi!
Why coulomb is not a base unit in Physics, but the Ampere is (and ampere is coulomb/s)?
Isn't it like saying that m/s is a base unit?
Can someone explain it to me?
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF.

amp = coulomb / second ;
The amp is easier to measure at any instant.

coulombs = amps ⋅ seconds.
The coulomb requires integration over a period of time.
 
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  • #3
Hi Baluncore,
Thank you for your explanation.
So, because it is easy to measure amp, it is a base unit. Correct?

Even if 1coulomb is a specific amount of electrons. And so, it looks like a base unit, but it is not.
 
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  • #4
With the revision of the SI the definition of the electromagnetic units indeed has been shift rather from defining the Ampere (as the unit for electric currents) to defining the Coulomb (as the unit of electric charge):

The ampere, symbol A, is the SI unit of electric current. It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be $1.602176634 \cdot 10^{−19}$ when expressed in the unit C, which is equal to A⋅s, where the second is defined in terms of $\Delta \nu_{\text{Cs}}$.
That the base unit is not the Coulomb, C, but the Ampere, A, is due to historical reasons, where the additional electromagnetic base unit was chosen as the unit of currents, because at this time one could measure currents much more accurately than charges.

The new SI is a great progress, because now everything is fixed by fixing natural constants, such that in principle you can reproduce the units precisely everywhere in the universe.
 
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  • #5
Vanhees71! This makes so much sense! I really appreciate your explanation. Thank you!
 
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  • #6
To be clear, the ampere remains the base unit, not the coulomb. See section 2.3.1 of the SI:

https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-330/sp-330-section-2#2.3.1

However, with the revision of the SI the distinction between base and derived units is unnecessary. See section 2.3

https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-330/sp-330-section-2#2.3

“Defining the SI by fixing the numerical values of seven defining constants has the effect that this distinction is, in principle, not needed, since all units, base as well as derived units, may be constructed directly from the defining constants. Nevertheless, the concept of base and derived units is maintained because it is useful and historically well established”

So the SI still defines the ampere as the base unit but indicates that it is merely a matter of history.
 
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  • #7
The history of the SI units is anyway very interesting. In some sense it reflects, of course, the history of physics since the time of the French revolution.
 
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  • #8
vanhees71 said:
The history of the SI units is anyway very interesting. In some sense it reflects, of course, the history of physics since the time of the French revolution.
Yeah, like having a base unit with a prefix (kilogram).
 
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  • #9
A.T. said:
Yeah, like having a base unit with a prefix (kilogram).
Or the US customary meter, often assumed to be identical to the SI metre.
 
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FAQ: Understanding the Relationship Between Coulomb and Ampere in Physics

What is the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere in physics?

The relationship between Coulomb and Ampere is defined through the concept of electric current. An Ampere (A) is the unit of electric current, which is the flow of electric charge. One Ampere represents the flow of one Coulomb (C) of charge per second. Mathematically, this relationship is expressed as 1 A = 1 C/s.

How are Coulomb and Ampere defined in the International System of Units (SI)?

In the International System of Units (SI), the Coulomb is the unit of electric charge and is defined as the amount of charge transported by a constant current of one Ampere in one second. The Ampere is the unit of electric current and is defined as the constant current that, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible cross-section, placed one meter apart in vacuum, would produce a force of 2 × 10^-7 Newtons per meter of length between the conductors.

Can you convert Coulombs to Amperes directly?

No, you cannot convert Coulombs to Amperes directly because they measure different physical quantities. Coulombs measure electric charge, while Amperes measure electric current. However, you can relate them through time: if you know the amount of charge in Coulombs and the duration in seconds, you can calculate the current in Amperes using the formula I = Q/t, where I is the current in Amperes, Q is the charge in Coulombs, and t is the time in seconds.

Why is it important to understand the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere?

Understanding the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere is crucial for analyzing and designing electrical and electronic systems. It allows scientists and engineers to quantify and control electric currents in circuits, understand the behavior of electrical components, and ensure the proper functioning of devices. This relationship also underpins the principles of electromagnetism and is fundamental to both theoretical and applied physics.

How does the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere apply to real-world electrical systems?

In real-world electrical systems, the relationship between Coulomb and Ampere is used to determine the amount of charge flowing through a circuit over time, which is essential for calculating energy consumption, designing circuit components, and ensuring safety. For example, in a household electrical system, knowing the current in Amperes helps in selecting the appropriate wire gauge and circuit breakers to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. Additionally, it is used in battery technology to determine the charge capacity and discharge rates.

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