Electricity - Section 2 Flashcards
What are conductors?
Materials that allow electrons to move through them easily
What are insulators?
Are materials that prevent electrons from moving through them easily
What are semiconductors?
Materials that act like conductors at high temperatures, but at low temperatures, they act like insulators
What are superconductors?
Conductors that have no resistance to the flow of electrons at extremely low temperatures
What are resistors?
Are a type of conductor that allow electric current to pass, but provide resistance to it
The more resistant a substance is, the more energy it gains from the electrons passing through
The energy gained is radiated as heat or light energy
What happens when a switch is closed (or on)?
The two conductors are connected so that current can flow from one to the other
What happens when a switch is open (or off)?
The two conductors remain separated and current is not able to flow
What is a variable resistor?
Can gradually change the flow of the electric current in a circuit
How do you calculate voltage using Ohm’s law?
V = I x R
How do you calculate current using Ohm’s law?
I = V/R
How do you calculate resistance using Ohm’s law?
R = V/I
What is a Schematic Diagram?
A drawing that uses symbols that show the components of the circuit and their connections
What are the four basic parts of schematic diagrams?
Source
Conductor
Switch
Load
What is a series circuit?
There is only one pathway for the electrons to take
As you add more components to the circuit, the resistance increases causing bulbs to dim as you add more
What are advantages and disadvantages of series circuits?
Advantage: very inexpensive to make and therefore cheaper
Disadvantage: if there is a break anywhere in the circuit, the entire circuit is open, and will not work
