AFOQT Practice Test

What defines electricity?

1. Movement of protons through a conductor

2. Movement of electrons through a conductor

3. Static charge build-up

4. Magnetic field interactions

The correct answer is: Movement of electrons through a conductor

Electricity is fundamentally defined as the movement of electrons through a conductor. Electrons, which are negatively charged particles, flow in response to a potential difference (voltage) applied across a conductor, which creates an electric current. This flow is what powers most electronic devices and electrical systems. In contrast, while protons are positively charged particles, they are generally fixed within the atomic nucleus and do not move through a conductor as freely as electrons do. Static charge build-up refers to the accumulation of electric charge on a surface, which can lead to a discharge but does not characterize the continuous flow of electricity. Magnetic field interactions involve magnetic forces and fields but are not synonymous with electricity itself, though they can be related in the context of electromagnetic phenomena. The correct definition focuses solely on the movement of electrons because it represents the core mechanism behind the operation of electrical circuits and devices.