What is the S.I. unit of electric current?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The Ampere (A) is the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units (S.I.).
It represents the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.
One ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge passing a point in one second (1 A = 1 C/s).

Option B: The Joule (J) is the S.I. unit of energy, work, or quantity of heat, not electric current.
Option C: The Newton (N) is the S.I. unit of force, not electric current.
Option D: The Pascal (Pa) is the S.I. unit of pressure, defined as one newton per square meter (N/m²).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain S.I. unit of electric current as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding basic electrical units is crucial for nurses to safely operate and troubleshoot various medical devices like ECG machines, defibrillators, pacemakers, and infusion pumps.
The energy delivered by a defibrillator is measured in Joules, but the current (in Amperes) that flows through the patient's chest is what actually stops a fatal arrhythmia.
What if the question asked for the unit of electrical energy used by a device? The answer would be Joule, as energy consumption is often measured in watt-hours or joules.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'S.I. unit of electric current'.
This is a direct factual recall question from basic physics.
Recall the seven fundamental S.I. units and the quantities they measure. The unit for electric current is the Ampere.
Evaluate the given options to confirm your answer and identify the quantities the other units measure (Joule for energy, Newton for force, Pascal for pressure).
Select the option that correctly matches the quantity asked in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 1 Part 1 p. 13-15

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.