Electricity & Magnetism Flashcards
Explain (in terms of electrons) how objects can become charged?
When you rub one object with another the electrons are transferred from one object to another meaning the object with extra electrons is now negatively charged and the object with less electrons is now positively charged.
Explain how different charges interact (attract or repel)?
The same charges repel whereas opposite charges attract.
What are particles atoms composed of?
Protons, electrons and neutrons
Go to Good Notes to label a diagram
Explain where the charged electrons come from in a wire?
The charged electrons are already in the wire the battery just pushes them around the circuit.
Distinguish static and current electricity?
In static electricity the charges aren’t moving whereas in current electricty they are
Label the symbols for an electrical circuit and use the symbols to draw an accurate circuit diagram?
In Good Notes
What is an electric field?
A region where a charged material or particle experiences a force.
Compare a gravitational field and an electric field.
Gravitational fields can only produce forces of attraction, whereas electric fields can produce attraction and repulsion.
What is meant by current? Recall the unit current is measured in?
The flow of electrical charge (electrons) around a complete circuit per second. It is measured in amps
What is meant by potential difference (i.e. voltage)? How do you measure it?
A measure of the push of a cell or battery, or the energy that the cell or battery can supply. You can measure the potential difference of a cell by connecting a voltmeter across it in parallel. It is measured in volts
Why is potential difference measured in parallel?
To measure the difference in energy from one side of the component to the other.
Describe the differences between a series and parallel circuit?
In a series circuit there is only one loop whereas in a parallel circuit there is more than one.
If you add components in a series circuit the current will decrease whereas if you add a component in a parallel circuit the current will stay the same.
Explain why current and potential difference vary in series and parallel circuits
Because in series there is only one path for the charged electrons to take so the voltage is shared between components whereas in parallel there are multiple paths so the potential difference is the same as the battery.
Explain the causes of resistance
Collisions between the electrons and the atoms present in the conductor making it more difficult for the electrons to pass through.
What would happen if a resistor was placed in circuit and explain why?
The current of the circuit would decrease because the resistor would slow down the flow of electrons and the components would lose some current.