What is the base SI unit for electrical quantities?

The base SI unit for electrical quantities is the ampere. The ampere is defined as the flow of electric charge across a surface at the rate of one coulomb per second. It serves as a fundamental unit in the International System of Units (SI) and is essential for measuring electrical current.

Understanding electrical quantities involves recognizing that many units are derived from the base units. For instance, the volt, which measures electrical potential or voltage, is derived from the ampere and the ohm (the unit of electrical resistance), while the watt measures electrical power and is a derived unit based on joules per second, which in turn involves amperes. This hierarchy demonstrates that the ampere is foundational in the realm of electrical measurements, making it the correct answer for the base SI unit.