Basic Electricity Flashcards
Describe the basic composition of an atom and the concept of electron flow
Electricity is electron flow through materials and devices. Atom Structure - Electron = negative charge
Proton = positive charge. Electrostatic force attracts electrons and protons. Electrons in motion try to pull away from nucleus. Atoms can lose or gain electrons. Atoms become either negatively or positively charged.
Define electrostatic force
force that holds electrons in their orbits
Define potential difference
how large the electrostatic force is between two charged objects
Define electromotive force
the sum of the potential differences of all charged particles in the electrostatic field.
Define ion charge
Atoms that lose or gain one or more electrons
Define Coulomb’s Law
Strength of the attraction or repulsion force between two charged objects, dependent upon two factors: Amount of charge on each object and Distance between the objects
Define Conductor
Materials with electrons that are loosely bound to their atoms, or materials that permit free motion of a large number of electrons
Define Insulator
Materials with electrons that are tightly bound to their atoms and require large amounts of energy to free them from the influence of the nucleus
Define Resistor
Materials that conduct electricity, but offer opposition to current flow
Define Voltage
potential difference between charged objects
Define Current or electron current flow
Movement of electrons
Define conventional current flow
flow of positive charges through a conductor
Define direct current
flows continuously in same direction
Define alternating current
periodically reverses direction
Define real source
current or voltage supply that has some losses associated with it such as a battery or electrical generator
Define ideal source
theoretical concept of current or voltage supply (such as a battery) that has no losses and is a perfect voltage or current supply (used for analytical purpose)
Describe Voltage
Electromotive force (EMF) that causes electrons to move in a conductor; measured in Volts; E=IR
Describe Current
Electron current, or amperage, is the movement of free electrons through a conductor; Measured in amps; I=E/R (The Indians saw the Eagles play over the River)
Describe Resistance
opposition to current flow; measured in ohms; R=E/I
Describe Conductance
the ability to conduct current; measured in siemens; G=1/R
Describe Power
Rate at which work is done, or the rate heat is generated; measured in Watts; P=I2R