Electricity Flashcards
What is static electricity?
Static electricity is when an object either gains or loses electric charge in the form of electrons.
Can static electricity move?
No. Static electricity is a type of energy that can build up in one place but does not move.
Objects that lose electrons become ____ charged.
Positively (+)
Objects that gain electrons become ____ charged.
Negatively (-)
How is static electricity generated?
Electrons are passed from one object to another by rubbing them together (i.e. friction)
Charges that are the same _________ each other.
Repel
Charges that are different _________ each other.
Attract
What will happen when two negative charges are brought together?
They will repel.
What will happen when a negative and positive charge are brought together?
They will attract.
Describe current electricity.
When electrons move they carry electrical energy from one place to another.
This is called current electricity or an electric current.
What is a circuit?
A circuit is a closed path or loop around which an electric current flows.
Describe simply what electricity is.
Electricity is a flow of electrons from one place to another.
What ‘pushes’ the electrons around a circuit?
A battery or power outlet creates the force that makes a current of electrons flow.
The force created by a battery is called __________.
Voltage (or potential difference)
What would happen if there is a break in the circuit?
Electricity would not flow
What is a conductor?
Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow freely e.g. copper wire.
What is an insulator?
Insulators are materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them freely e.g. rubber, plastic.
Describe the pathway of electrons in a series circuit.
In a series circuit there is only one pathway around which the electrons can travel.
Describe the pathway of electrons in a parallel circuit.
In a parallel circuit there are different pathways the electrons can travel.
What is the unit for current?
Ampere (A)
What is the unit for voltage/potential difference?
Volts (V)
In a circuit what scientific name do we give for ‘battery’?
We call a battery a ‘cell’.
What is meant by the term ‘resistance’?
This refers to how easy or difficult it is for electrons to pass through a component.
Resistance is measured in ________.
Ohms
Which piece of equipment measures current?
Ammeter
In an atom which particles can move from one object to an other?
Electrons - because they are very small and light.
A neutral object has equal numbers of positive and negative _________.
Charges
In a series circuit, what happens if one of the bulbs blows?
All the other components will not work because the circuit is broken.
If you want to measure current in a circuit, how do you wire the ammeter?
You have to wire it in series.
If you want to measure voltage in a circuit, how do you wire the voltmeter?
You have to wire it in parallel.
On your learning tools app draw the symbol for a bulb.
Check your exercise book for the bulb symbol to see if you are correct.
On your learning tools app draw the symbol for an open switch.
Check your exercise book for the open switch symbol to see if you are correct.
On your learning tools app draw the symbol for an voltmeter.
Check your exercise book for the voltmeter symbol to see if you are correct.
What does an ammeter measure?
Current
When a wire increases in length how does this affect the resistance?
The resistance also increases
How does the thickness of a wire affect resistance?
The thinner the wire the higher the resistance
What is potential difference?
It is the ‘push’ from the battery that pushes the electrons around the electrical circuit. It is also known as ‘voltage’.
Define the term ‘current’
An electric current isa flow of electrons/charge around a circuit. The faster the charge flow, the higher the current.
What unit is current measured in?
Current is measured in Amps (A)
What is the symbol for resistance and what unit is it measured in?
The symbol for resistance is R
It is measured in Ohms (Ω)
