Homonym: amp (Ampere)
An "amp," short for ampere, is a unit of electric current in the International System of Units (SI). It measures the flow of electric charge through a conductor, such as a wire. One ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge passing through a point in a circuit in one second.
In practical terms, the amp is crucial for understanding how much electricity devices use. For example, a typical household circuit can handle 15 to 20 amps, which determines how many appliances can run simultaneously without overloading the system. Understanding amps helps ensure safe and efficient electrical usage in homes and industries.