Here's why:
* Electron flow: In a conductor, the actual flow of charge is due to the movement of electrons, which are negatively charged. Electrons move from areas of high negative charge (the negative terminal of a battery) to areas of lower negative charge (the positive terminal).
* Conventional current: Conventional current is a historical concept that assumes positive charges are flowing. This convention was established before the discovery of electrons and their role in conduction. Therefore, conventional current is defined as the direction of flow of positive charges, which is opposite to the actual electron flow.
In summary:
* Electron flow: Negative charges (electrons) flow from negative to positive.
* Conventional current: Positive charges are assumed to flow from positive to negative (opposite direction of electron flow).
While conventional current is an outdated concept, it is still widely used in electrical engineering. It's important to be aware of this distinction to avoid confusion when analyzing circuits.
