Good question that. I have always been wondering, but easily could
tell that for resistance it was R, and for voltage it was V, pretty
much the first letter of these, what is the deal with current which
is 'given' by symbol I?

Y'know we are always in contact with very inquisitive minds of our
students; it's good to have something to say when a student
informally, or even in class, asks the question.

Thanks Martin for the question.

I have another question on 'unlearning' misconceptions, or some like
calling them alternative conceptions, in this area. i have had a
chance of teaching junior science, O level science and A level
physics. The examinations for all these are Cambridge (examinations).
I also have had a chance to lead a team of Cambridge Science 5006/3
markers, ie a team leader. There looks like a prevalent misconception
of what really is 'currenting' in a wire. Sometimes i find i do not
give a satisfactory answer when such a question comes up but wiggle
out of the question through experience, but the explanations will be
too many to even confuse (probably) my clientele, the students. One
student asked in O level class (I still remember) why we talk of
the 'positive'/ or conventional current yet what really is 'moving'
in that wire are electrons. Can anyone help me by explaining how,
confranted by such questions in Ohm's law, how one can try and
effectively assist the student in understanding the concept. The
Drude model?
Honestly, i have trouble in explaining the 'positive' nature of
current as it were. Any ideas, or I am the only one lost?

Thank you in advance

Oppress B Makhafula
(Zimbabwean) Teacher of Science/Physics


--- In learning-science-concepts@..., Veit Martin Koch
<veit.koch@w...> wrote:
> Hi Ian - or whoever knows the answer:
>
> why is the symbol for current I? Where does that come from?
>
> Regards,
>
> Martin