This is one classic example where a mathematical representation of the concept is best for understanding. Current is defined as:I think the point he is trying to make is "It's the charge that flows, never the current"
What is charge made up of? Electrons, (and in some cases protons) So yes electrons, (charge) does indeed flow.
I = dQ/dt
i.e. Current (I) is the change in charge (Q) with respect to time (t). If charge changes with time, then current (by which every definition you choose to look at) is the product of charge "flow". Its the old cause and effect.
The very definition of current is that it is: "...the flow of electric charge."
So picking from Bill's article:
ref. http://amasci.com/amateur/transis.htmlFirst of all, you must abandon the idea that current travels in transistors or flows inside of wires. Yes, you heard me right. Current does not flow. Electric current never flows, since an electric current is not a stuff. Electric current is a flow of something else. (Ask yourself this: what's the stuff that flows in a river, is it "current" or is it called "water?")
So what flows inside of wires?
The stuff that moves within wires is not named Electric Current. Intead it is called Electric Charge. It's the charge that flows, never the current. And in rivers or in plumbing, it's the water that flows, not the "current." We cannot understand plumbing until we stop believing in a stuff called "current," and then we learn that "water" flows inside of pipes. The same is true with circuits. Wires are not full of current, they are full of charges that can move. Electric charge is real stuff; it can move around. But electric current is not stuff. If we decide to ignore "current," and then examine the behavior of moving charges in great detail, we can burn off the clouds of fog that block our understanding of electronics.
Isn't the author making a relatively simple concept somewhat more difficult than it needs to be?
Dave