What does electrical current primarily consist of?

Electrical current primarily consists of electrons, which are subatomic particles that carry a negative charge. In conductors, such as copper wires, electrons are free to move, allowing them to flow from one point to another when a voltage is applied. This movement of electrons is what constitutes electric current.

In a simple circuit, when a battery or power source generates a potential difference, it creates an electric field that pushes the electrons through the conductor. As these electrons flow, they carry electric energy that can be utilized to power devices, lights, and appliances.

The other options are not correct because photons, which are particles of light, do not carry electric charge; neutrons, which are neutral particles found in atomic nuclei, do not play a role in the flow of electric current; and protons, while they are positively charged, are typically found within the nuclei of atoms and do not move freely in a circuit the way electrons do. Thus, the primary constituent of electrical current in conductive materials is indeed electrons.