4.3 Circuit diagrams

Question 1

series circuit

Answer 1

a string of two or more components connected end to end

Question 2

parallel circuit

Answer 2

two or more components attached along separate branches of the circuit

Question 3

resistance in series

Answer 3

R = R1+R2+……

Question 4

resistance in parallel

Answer 4

1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ……

Question 5

potentiometers

Answer 5

type of variable resistor consisting of a coil wire and a sliding contact
- if slider gets away resistance of the resistor increases

Question 6

relay

Answer 6

type of switch, consisting of an electromagnetic coil and a magnetic switch
- only switches on when there is current that creates a magnetic field attracting the switch to close it

Question 7

thermistor

Answer 7

thermal resistor

if heat increases resistance decreases

Question 8

LDR - light dependent resistor

Answer 8

if light increases resistance decreases

Question 9

diode

Answer 9

component that only allows current/charge to flow in one direction through it. (physics version of a valve)
- diode not pointing from positive to negative —> no current

Question 10

rectification

Answer 10

only allowing current half of the time

-by connecting a diode to an alternating current power supply (the a.c. will be the one rectified)