Chapter 6: Electricity and circuits

Question 1

6A:
Define the term “Charge.”

Answer 1

“Charge,” refers to a fundamental property of certain particles, such as protons and elections. This “charge,” is responsible for the electrical interactions of a particle.

Question 2

6A:
Define the term “Potential difference.”

Answer 2

Potential difference is the difference in electrical potential energy between two points in a circuit per coulomb of charge, commonly referred to as the “voltage,” of a circuit.

Question 3

6A:
Define the term “Electric current.”

Answer 3

The current of a circuit is the rate at which charge moves with respect to time, requiring the movement of charged particles.

In a series circuit, the current remains constant at all points in the circuit. However, in a parallel circuit the current splits between the different branches of the circuit.

Question 4

6A:
Define the term “Power.”

Answer 4

The power of a circuit (expressed in watts) measures the rate at which electrical potential energy is transferred into the forms of energy to be consumed by the components of the circuit.

Question 5

6B:
Define “Electrical resistance.”

Answer 5

Electrical resistance is a measure of the opposition to the flow of current within a circuit.

Question 6

6B:
Define a “resistor.”

Answer 6

A resistor is an electrical component connected to a circuit that reduces the flow of current, being achieved through converting the electrical potential energy of charge carriers into thermal energy.

Question 7

6B:
Define an “Ohmic device.”

Answer 7

An ohmic device applies a constant resistance to all voltage drops within a circuit.

Question 8

6C:
Define a “series circuit.”
Define a “series connection.”

Answer 8

A series circuit is a kind of circuit (or part of a circuit) that consists of series connections, where there is only one pathway for the charge to flow within the circuit.

A series connection is where an electrical component is connected end to end to a single pathway.

Question 9

6D:
Define a “parallel circuit.”

Answer 9

A parallel circuit is a kind of circuit (or a part of an overall circuit) which consists of parallel connections. Here, there are multiple pathways for current to flow in the circuit.

Note: The voltage in a parallel circuit is the same across all points in the circuit, and is equal to the total voltage supply.

Question 10

6D:
Define a “parallel connection.”

Answer 10

A parallel connection is where an electrical component connects two points within a circuit, which are referred to as Nodes.

Question 11

6D:
Define a “Node.”

Answer 11

This is an intersection point within a parallel circuit where the current flow changes direction.