When a wire carries a steady current of 0.1 amp for 20 seconds, what is the total charge passing through the wire?

To determine the total charge that passes through a wire when a steady current flows, we can use the relationship defined by the equation:

[ Q = I \times t

]

where (Q) is the total charge in coulombs, (I) is the current in amperes, and (t) is the time in seconds.

In this situation, the current (I) is given as 0.1 amp, and the time (t) is 20 seconds. Plugging the values into the equation gives us:

[ Q = 0.1 , \text{A} \times 20 , \text{s} = 2 , \text{C} ]

Thus, the total charge passing through the wire is 2 coulombs. This demonstrates the direct relationship between current, time, and charge; the longer the current flows, the more charge accumulates, assuming the current is steady. Understanding this principle is crucial in electrical applications and helps conceptualize how circuits operate over time.