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AP Physics 1 > Electric Circuits > Flashcards

Electric Circuits Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the equation for electric current?

A

I=Δq/Δt

Units: C/s or A (Amps)

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2
Q

What is an Electric Current?

A

Moving electric charges; measures the amount of charge passing a given point every second

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3
Q

What does a battery do in a circuit?

A

It supplies the potential difference (voltage) needed to maintain a continuous flow of charge

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4
Q

What path does an electric charge take in a circuit?

A

Positive to negative

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5
Q

What is a Resistor?

A

Device whose function is to oppose the current of a circuit

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6
Q

What is an Ammeter?

A

Device that measures the current; used in series with a circuit

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7
Q

What is a Voltmeter?

A

Device that measures potential difference; used in parallel to a circuit

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8
Q

Is there an observable difference in readings of an ammeter when it is moved to a different location?

A

No

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9
Q

Is there an observable difference in readings of an voltmeter when it is moved to a different location?

A

No

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10
Q

What differences in readings of a ammeter/voltmeter are observable?

A

Difference in emf across the terminals of a battery

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11
Q

What is Electromotive Force (emf)?

A

Potential difference; voltage

Units: Volts

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12
Q

What is a Circuit?

A

A complete loop/circle of wire that allows for continuous flow of charge

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13
Q

What is Terminal emf?

A

First emf reflects the work done by the battery to move more change through the circuit and across terminals of the battery; total voltage; also known as internal emf

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14
Q

What is Resistance?

A

Electrical friction caused by the interaction of flowing electrons and molecules of a wire

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15
Q

What is resistance dependent on?

A

Temperature

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16
Q

What does an increase in temperature do to the resistance of a circuit?

A

Increases the current flow

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17
Q

What is Ohm’s Law?

A

If temperature is constant, as the voltage increases, a greater flow of current will be observed; direct relationship between voltage and current

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18
Q

What is the equation for resistance? (aka Ohm’s Law)

A

R=V/I or V=IR

Units: ohms (Ω)

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19
Q

What is the slope of a voltage vs current graph represent?

A

slope=resistance

R=V/I

20
Q

What is Resistivity?

A

Measure of resisting power of a certain material to the flow of an electric current (ρ)

21
Q

What is the equation for resistivity?

A

R=ρL/A
L=length of wire
A=area of cross section
Units (ρ)=Ω*m

22
Q

What happens if a wire has a smaller cross section area? (R=ρL/A)

A

The resistance of the wire will increase

23
Q

What happens if the length of the wire increases? (R=ρL/A)

A

The resistance of the wire will increase

24
Q

What is the equation for the total power of a circuit?

A

P=ΔVI

Units: Watts (W)

25
Q

What is equation for electrical energy?

A

E=Pt or E=WIt or E=I^2Rt

Units: Joules (J)

26
Q

What is a Series Circuit?

A

A circuit consisting of two or more resistors sequentially placed within one circuit

27
Q

What will happen if there is a break (ie. light bulb goes out) in a series circuit?

A

The entire circuit will shut down; the continuous path is broken

28
Q

Is the current of a series circuit the same or different throughout the circuit?

A

The current is the same because there is only one circuit

29
Q

Is the terminal emf (or voltage) of a series circuit the same or different throughout the circuit?

A

The voltage is different; it is equal to the sum of all the emf’s across all of the resistors

30
Q

Where is there potential drop in a circuit?

A

Across each resistor

31
Q

What is Potential Drop?

A

The amount of voltage loss that occurs through all or part of a circuit due to resistance; also known as voltage drop

32
Q

What will happen to a series circuit if more resistors are added?

A

The electric current will decrease by increasing the resistance of the current, if the voltage is the same; as resistance increases, current decreases

33
Q

What is the equation for the current of a series circuit?

A

I(total)=I1=I2=I3

Current is the same throughout

34
Q

What is the equation for the voltage of a series circuit?

A

V(total)=V1+V2+V3
IR(total)=IR1+IR2+IR3
Voltage is different/shared

35
Q

What is the equation for the resistance of a series circuit?

A

R(total)=R1+R2+R3

36
Q

What is a Parallel Circuit?

A

A circuit consisting of two or more resistors connected across each other to a common point of potential difference

37
Q

What happens if there is a break (ie. light bulb going out) in a parallel circuit?

A

The circuit does not go out because the current can flow to through the other path

38
Q

Is the voltage of a parallel circuit the same or different throughout the circuit?

A

Same because each resistor is connected at a common potential point; voltage across each resistor is equal to the source voltage

39
Q

What will happen in a parallel circuit if more resistors are added?

A

Will increase the effective circuit current by decreasing the circuit resistance; as resistance decreases, current increases

40
Q

What is the equation for the voltage of a parallel circuit?

A

V(total)=V1=V2=V3

Voltage is the same throughout

41
Q

What is the equation for the current of a parallel circuit?

A

I(total)=I1+I2+I3
V/R(total)=V/R1+V/R2+V/R3
Current is different/shared

42
Q

What is the equation for the resistance of a parallel circuit?

A

1/R(total)=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3

43
Q

What are Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws (2)?

A

Junction Rule (current) and Loop Rule (voltage)

44
Q

What is the Junction Rule?

A

The sum of currents flowing into a branch must equal the sum of currents leaving

45
Q

What is the Loop Rule?

A

The sum of all emfs around a loop is equal to the sum of the potential drops around the loop

46
Q

Where should an ammeter be placed in a circuit?

A

In series, right before or after the given resistor; an ammeter measures the current

47
Q

Where should a voltmeter be placed in a circuit?

A

In parallel, across the given resistor; a voltmeter measures the voltage

AP Physics 1 (14 decks)

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