The unit used to measure electric current is called the "ampere," often abbreviated as "amp." It quantifies the flow of electric charge in a circuit, specifically indicating how many coulombs of charge pass through a conductor in one second. One ampere is equivalent to one coulomb of charge moving past a point in a circuit within one second. Understanding electric current is fundamental in electrical engineering and physics, as it affects the design and operation of electronic devices, power systems, and various technologies. The ampere is a standard unit in the International System of Units (SI).