Ampere

Amperemeter hg

Ampere (symbol: A) is the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after André-Marie Ampère, a French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electromagnetism. The ampere is a fundamental unit in the field of electrical engineering, physics, and various applications involving electrical systems.

Definition

As of the 2019 redefinition of the SI base units, the ampere is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the elementary charge e to be 1.602176634×10^−19 when expressed in the unit C, which is equal to A⋅s, where the second is defined in terms of the cesium frequency ∆ν_Cs. This definition links the ampere directly to the elementary charge, making it dependent on the definition of the second, rather than the previous definition which was based on the force between two parallel conductors.

History

The concept of electric current was developed in the early 19th century, with André-Marie Ampère being one of the key figures in establishing the theory of electrodynamics. In 1881, the ampere was formally defined at the first International Congress of Electricians as the current that, when passed through two parallel conductors of infinite length and negligible circular cross-section, and placed one meter apart in a vacuum, would produce a force of 2×10^−7 newtons per meter of length. This definition remained until the 2019 redefinition.

Practical Applications

The ampere is used worldwide as a standard unit for measuring electrical current. This measurement is crucial in various applications including electrical engineering, design of electrical circuits, power generation, and distribution. It also plays a significant role in the study of electromagnetic fields, semiconductors, and electronic devices.

Measurement

The measurement of the ampere can be achieved through various methods, including the use of an ammeter, which is directly calibrated in terms of the ampere. More sophisticated methods involve the use of quantum Hall effect for high precision measurements.

Importance

The ampere is not only a fundamental unit for electrical measurements but also serves as a cornerstone for the development of other units like the coulomb (C), which is the unit of electric charge, and the watt (W), which is the unit of power. The precise definition and measurement of the ampere have significant implications for scientific research, technology development, and industrial applications.