Definitions Flashcards
What is a coulomb?
One coulomb is the total charge supplied by a current of one ampere in a time of one second
What is charge?
Current x Time
What is electric current?
The rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes
What is Kirchhoff’s first law?
The sum of the currents entering any junction is always equal to the sum of the currents leaving the junction
What is conventional current?
A model used to describe the movement of charge in a circuit. Conventional current travels from + to -
What is electron flow?
The movement of electrons (usually around a circuit), from - to +
What is conservation of charge?
Physical law stating charge is conserved in all interactions; it cannot be created or destroyed
What is an ammeter?
A device used to measure electric current, connected in series with the components
What is drift velocity?
The average velocity of an electron as it travels through a wire due to a potential difference
What is an electrolyte?
A fluid that contains ions that are free to move and hence conduct electricity
What is a conductor?
A material with a high number density of conduction electrons and therefore a low resistance
What is an insulator?
A material with a small number density of conduction electrons and therefore a high resistance
What is a semiconductor?
A material with a lower number density of conduction electrons than a conductor and therefore a higher resistance
What is density?
The mass per unit volume, measured in kilograms per cubic metre (kg m-3); a scalar quantity
What is an electron?
Negatively charged sub-atomic particle. Conduction electrons travel around circuits creating an electric current
