What type of measurement can the basic meter movement directly measure?

The basic meter movement is designed to directly measure current. This is typically achieved through a galvanometer, which operates on the principles of electromagnetism. When current flows through the meter, it generates a magnetic field that interacts with a coil and causes the needle to deflect. The degree of the deflection is proportional to the amount of current flowing through the circuit, allowing the measurement of current to be both precise and direct.

In contrast, the other options represent different electrical properties that require additional components or conversion mechanisms to measure. Voltage, for example, is generally measured with a voltmeter, which is connected in a parallel configuration to the circuit. Resistance is measured by an ohmmeter or using the multimeter’s resistance setting, requiring a different setup to assess how much current passes through a component at a given voltage. Power involves a calculation based on both voltage and current, so it is not directly measurable by the basic meter movement without additional circuitry to perform the necessary computations.