> >HA! This begs the question (to all you EE-wannabes), "why is it done this
> >way?"
> >
> >Hint: it has to do with ∗chemistry∗, not "electronics".
>
>[waving arm in air]
>
>I know. I know. Pick me. Pick me.
>
>It's because electrons are negatively charged and flow from -
>to +, contrary to common misconception of + to -. I think the
>military teaches it the right way.
>
>-Cary
I can pipe in here. In the past 10 years the Nuclear navy has switched the
way they teach this a half dozen times. I learned it as "electron flow"
(conventional current flow) + to - in my electrician school. Then in
nuclear power school they said the Navy is going to start teaching "hole
flow". The idea was - to +. The hole comes from the space left by the
electron that just "vacated" a "hole". WHATEVER. The idea is there is a
difference in potential (voltage) and without it there is no current flow
whether it is + to - or - to+. I love this conversation. In the end it
usually leaves those with any insecurities in there knowledge sure of only
one thing - they don't know anymore.
The ironic part... I teach this now and I teach the conventional current
flow - many nubs, as we call them, understand + to minus easier despite the
actual physics involved.
Steve... still in Hawaii