Which term indicates the direction of current flow?

• A. Polarity
• B. Phase
• C. Voltage
• D. Impedance

Answer: (A)

Polarity is the factor that tells you which way current is intended to flow. It marks which conductor or terminal is positive and which is negative, so conventional current is defined as leaving the positive terminal and entering the negative. In DC circuits this gives a fixed direction; in AC circuits the instantaneous polarity alternates as the waveform cycles, but polarity still provides the reference orientation for current flow. The other terms don’t specify direction: phase deals with timing of AC cycles, voltage is the potential difference that can drive current, and impedance is the opposition to current.