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In a copper wire, how does the direction of conventional current compare to electron flow?

Opposite: conventional current is drawn the way positive charge would move.

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  1. Opposite to the electrons' motion ✔
  2. The same direction as the electrons
  3. There is no set convention

Why: Current direction is defined as the direction positive charge would move. In a metal, negative electrons drift the other way.

Huh, didn't know that: The convention dates from Benjamin Franklin's time, before anyone knew electrons carried the current.

The dad joke
Electrons never follow the arrows. They are true rebels of the circuit.
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References

Answer: Opposite to the electrons' motion. Current direction is defined as the direction positive charge would move. In a metal, negative electrons drift the other way.

  1. OpenStax University Physics Vol. 2, 9.1 Electrical Current openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/9-1-electrical-current
    Conventional current is in the direction opposite to the movement of negative charge.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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