In which direction does electric current traditionally flow in the context of electrical theory?

Electric current is traditionally understood to flow from positive to negative in the context of electrical theory as a result of historical conventions established before the discovery of the electron. This convention originates from Benjamin Franklin's experiments, where he defined positive and negative charges. In his model, the current was thought to be a flow of positive charge, moving from areas of higher potential (positive) to lower potential (negative).

While in reality, electrons, which carry a negative charge, flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal in a circuit, the conventional flow is still defined as going from positive to negative for the sake of consistency in electrical theory, circuit design, and analysis. This traditional viewpoint is critical for understanding circuit diagrams and electrical components, as it establishes a standard reference for how current is viewed and calculated in various situations.

The other options, while related to specific aspects of electrical theory and circuit behavior, do not address the traditional flow of electric current directly, which is why they are not the correct answer in this context.