Electric Circuits Flashcards
What are the 2 needed pieces required to have a circuit?
A power supply (the “push”)
A wire
Anything that uses the electric energy in a circuit
Resistor
Law that is the cornerstone for electric circuits
Ohm’s Law, V=IR
Ohm’s Law (formula)
V=IR
V= potential difference (measured in volts)
I=current (measured in amperes)
R=resistance (measured in ohms)
What creates the “push” in a circuit?
a Potential Difference (voltage)
The quantity of charge moving past a point per second
Current (amps)
T/F: Current is a measurement of the distance and speed at which a charge travels
False. Current is the quantity of charge. It is a quantity rate.
By designation, current is the movement of what type of charge?
Positive Charge
Formula for Current
I=q/t
I=current measured in amps
q=quantity of charge
t=time
Measurement of the “electrical pump”
Voltage
The key to voltage is a _______________ in volts
Difference
What typically provides voltage?
A generator or battery
This inhibits the flow of current and uses voltage
Resistor
What is the relationship between the resistance and current?
When the voltage remains constant, resistance and current are inversely related. When one goes up, the other goes down.
What are the two main types of circuits?
Series Circuit
Parallel Circuit
A single pathway for current to flow
Series Circuit
A series of branches for current to flow through
Parallel Circuit
How do we determine the total resistance in a series circuit?
Is is the sum of all the resistors (e.g., all the bulbs added up)
In a series circuit, what happens when one of the resistors (a bulb, e.g.) goes out?
The whole circuit shuts down.
What is the relationship between Voltage and Resistance?
Big resistance, big voltage. The voltage distributed across each resistor is proportional to the resistance of that device.
Circuit that has multiple paths for the current to leave the battery and finally return to it
Parallel Circuit
In a parallel circuit, most of the current follows what path?
The path of least resistance
What type of circuits run in our homes?
Parallel Circuits
What shuts down circuits when they begin to overheat due to excessive current draw?
Fuses or Circuit Breakers
