Strictly speaking current is a basic quantity and charge is derived. However,
physically the electric current is created by a movement of charged particles.
What is the meaning of a negative value for
q(t)?
PROBLEM SOLVING TIP
IF THE CHARGE IS GIVEN DETERMINE THE CURRENT BY
DIFFERENTIATION
IF THE CURRENT IS KNOWN DETERMINE THE CHARGE BY
INTEGRATION
A PHYSICAL ANALOGY THAT HELPS VISUALIZE ELECTRIC
CURRENTS IS THAT OF WATER FLOW.
CHARGES ARE VISUALIZED AS WATER PARTICLES
