Electric Current

Question 1

Conservation of electric charge

Answer 1

Electric charge cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of charge in an isolated system is constant. The sum of positive and negative charge in any isolated system does not change.

Series circuit: a circuit where the current can only flow along one path, no charge is gained or lost, and the current at any point is the same.

Question 2

Parallel Circuits

Answer 2

In a parallel circuits, each electron has the option of taking multiple paths. This means that charge carriers are divided among each brand but will ultimately rejoin since charge is conserved.

Question 3

Kirchoff’s Current Law

Answer 3

Since charge is conserved, the total current flowing into a junction must equal the total current flowing out the junction. The sum of current in, must equal the sum of current out.

Question 4

Guide to solving questions including current, charge and time

Answer 4

1. Read question carefully.
2. Reread and identify unknown variables.
3. Identify variable(s) to be determined
4. Represent problem visually
5. Identify required equation(s)
6. Solving equation(s).