Electricity Flashcards
Define current
Rate of flow of charge round the circuit
Electrons carry charge (negatively charged)
Current only flows through a component if there is a voltage across that component
What is current measured in?
Amperes (amps) , A
Define voltage
Drives the current round the circuit.
Also called potential difference
Voltage measured in
Volts, V
Define charge
Electrical energy and is being carried around by electrons
Resistance define
Anything in the circuit which slows the flow down
The more components the higher the overall resistance
Resistance measured in
Ohms,
If increase the voltage
More current will flow
If increase resistance
Less current will flow
Which way does a circuit flow?
Negative to positive electrical flow
Opposites attract
Circuit symbols Cell Battery Power supply Switch open and closed Earth / ground Filament lamp LED Loudspeaker + microphone Electrical bell + motor Fixed resistor + variable resistor Ammeter + voltmeter Diode LDR Heater + generator Fuse / circuit breaker Thermistor Transformer Relay
Difference between cell and battery
Cell = simpler Battery = complex - more layers (of cells)
Ammeter
Define
Where to place
Measures current (amps) flowing through the component
Must be placed in series
Anywhere in the main circuit but never in parallel
Voltmeter
Define
Where to place
Measures voltage (volts) across the component
Must be placed in parallel
Where to place variable resistor
Series
What happens
Alter the resistance of variable resistor
Current flowing through the component changes
Mains supply is …
Battery supply is …
a. c.
d. c.
UK mains electricity supply is ….
a. c. Stands for …..
a. c. Means …..
d. c. stands for ….
d. c. means …
230 Volts
Alternating current
Current is constantly changing direction
Direct current
Current keeps flowing in same direction
Formula
Voltage
Current
Resistance
Voltage (V) = current (A) x resistance (ohms)
V
I x R
I - V graphs (current - voltage)
What they show
For straight line…
If curves…..
Changing voltage affect current
For a straight line graph the gradient is constant and equal to:
1 / resistance (bc. R = V / I)
Curves: resistance is changing
Formula
Work out resistance from I-V graph
R = V / I
List 4 important current - voltage graphs
Metal filament lamp
Wire
Different resistors
Diode
Describe
I - V graph
Metal filament lamp
As temperature of metal increase the resistance increases hence the curve
Describe
I - V graph
Wire
The current through a wire (at constant temperature ) is proportional to voltage
Describe
I-V graph
Different resistors
Current through resistor (at constant temperature) is proportional to voltage
Different resistors have different resistances
Hence different slopes