Circuits Flashcards
Electricity
Electricity is the flow of charge around a circuit carrying energy from the battery (or power supply) to components such as lamps and motors. Electricity can flow only if there is a complete circuit from the battery through wires to components and back to the battery again.
With the switch open the circuit is _____ - so electricity cannot flow and the lamp is off.
broken
With the switch closed the circuit is _____ - allowing electricity to flow and the lamp is on. The electricity is carrying energy from the battery to the lamp.
complete
schematic
a diagram of an electric circuit drawn using standard symbols for the circuit elements.
Current
the rate of flow of charge.
Current is measured with an _____, connected in_____.
ammeter, series
Voltage is a measure of
the energy carried by the charge.
Voltage is supplied by _____
the battery (or power supply).
Voltage is measured with a_____, connected in_____.
voltmeter, parallel
Series Circuit
circuit in which electrical current flows through each component one after another.
Parallel Circuit
circuit in which there are two or more paths for current flow.
Voltages add up for
components connected in series.
Currents are the same
through all components connected in series.
Resistances add up for
components connected in series.
Fuses and circuit breakers are
safety devices.
