Electricity Oral 2 Flashcards
What constitutes a capacitor?
Two conductors separated by an insulator
What is the purpose of a capacitor?
Storing electrical energy in an electrostatic field
Does a capacitor in an AC circuit cause the current to lead or lag the voltage?
It causes the current to lead the voltage
What is the basic unit of capacitance?
A farad (F)
Why should electrolytic capacitors not be used in an AC circuit?
They are polarized, it will pass current of one polarity but will block current of the opposite polarity
What is meant by inductance?
The ability to store electrical energy in electromagnetic fields
What is the basic unit of inductance?
Henry
What is an example of an inductor used in a magneto?
The coil
Does an inductor in an AC circuit cause the current to lead or lag the voltage?
It causes the current to lag behind the voltage
How can you find the polarity of an electromagnet?
Hold the electromagnet in your left hand with your fingers encircling the coil in the direction electrons flow (from negative to positive). Your thumb will point to the north pole of the electromagnet
What is meant by impedance?
The total opposition to the flow of AC. It is the vector sum of resistance, capacitive reactance, and inductive reactance
In what units is impedance measured?
Ohms
What are five sources of electrical energy?
Magnetism, chemical energy, heat, light and pressure.
What is the basic unit of power in a DC circuit?
The Watt
What is meant by a kilowatt?
1,000 Watts