Current density Current density In electromagnetism, current density is the electric current per unit area of cross section. The current density vector is defined as a vector whose magnitude is the electric current per cross-sectional area at a given point in space, its direction being that of the motion of the charges at this point. In SI units, the electric current density is measured in amperes per square metre. Assume that "A" (SI unit: m) is a small surface centred at a given point "M" and orthogonal to the motion of the charges at "M". If "I" (SI unit: A) is the
Current density of the unit vectors. That is, the component of current density passing through the surface (i.e. normal to it) is , while the component of current density passing tangential to the area is , but there is "no" current density actually passing "through" the area in the tangential direction. The "only" component of current density passing normal to the area is the cosine component. Current density is important to the design of electrical and electronic systems. Circuit performance depends strongly upon the designed current level, and the current density then is determined by the dimensions of the conducting elements. For