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GCSE Physics > P1: Electricity > Flashcards

P1: Electricity Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a switch?

A

Something that is used to turn a circuit on and off.

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2
Q

What is a lamp?

A

An electrical current heats the filament on a bulb so that it gives out light.

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3
Q

What is a fixed resistor?

A

A restistor restricts or limits the flow of electrical current. A fixed resistor has a resistance that does not change.

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4
Q

What is a variable resistor?

A

A resistor whereby the resistance can be changed.

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5
Q

What is a thermistor?

A

A resistor whereby the resistance changes depending on the temperature.

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6
Q

At low temperatures, what is the resistance like in a thermistor?

A

High.

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7
Q

Does resistance in a thermistor increase or decrease with temperature increase?

A

Resistance decreases.

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8
Q

What is a light-dependent resistor?

A

A resistor whereby the resistance depends on light intensity. At low light levels, the LDR has a high resistance.

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9
Q

In the dark, is the resistance of an LDR high or low?

A

High.

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10
Q

Does resistance in an LDR increase or decrease as light increases?

A

Resistance decreases.

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11
Q

What is a diode?

A

Something that allows current to flow in one direction early. Used to convert an alternating current into a direct current.

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12
Q

What is current?

A

The rate of flow of electric charge.

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13
Q

What is charge?

A

The quantity of electricity.

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14
Q

How is current measured?

A

Using an ammeter.

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15
Q

How is an ammeter placed in a circuit?

A

In series.

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16
Q

What do you use to measure potential difference?

A

A voltmeter.

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17
Q

How do you place a voltmeter in a circuit?

A

In parallel.

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18
Q

Describe the layout of electrical components in a series circuit.

A

They are connected one after the other in a single loop.

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19
Q

What happens if one bulb goes out in a series circuit?

A

All of the other bulbs go out as well because current is not able to flow around the circuit.

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20
Q

Describe current in a series circuit.

A

Current is the same everywhere in a series circuit.

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21
Q

Describe the distribution of potential difference in a series circuit.

A

The potential different in each component is equal across all of them, and adds up to the total potential difference in the source.

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22
Q

Describe the resistance of a series circuit.

A

The total resistance of the circuit is the sum of individual resistors.

23
Q

What happens if one bulb is broken in a parallel circuit?

A

The current will still be able to flow through the other loops, so all of the others will stay on.

24
Q

Describe the current in a parallel circuit.

A

The total current is split between the components on different loops.

25
Q

Describe the potential difference in a parallel circuit.

A

The potential difference is the same across each loop, everywhere.

26
Q

Describe the resistance in a parallel circuit.

A

The total resistance of the circuit is less than the resistance of the smallest resistor.

27
Q

What are the types of ways a current can flow?

A

Direct current and alternating current.

28
Q

What are the three types of wire in a plug?

A

Earth wire, neutral wire and live wire.

29
Q

What is the function of outer insulation in a plug?

A

Safety.

30
Q

What is the function of a cable grip in a plug?

A

Holds the cable tightly in place so that wires do not become loose,

31
Q

What is the function of a fuse in a plug?

A

Melts if the current gets too high, protects from excessive current and prevents short circuits.

32
Q

What colour is the live wire?

A

Brown.

33
Q

What colour is the neutral wire?

A

Blue.

34
Q

What colour is the Earth wire?

A

Yellow and green.

35
Q

Which wire in a plug is brown?

A

Live wire.

36
Q

Which wire in a plug is blue?

A

Neutral wire.

37
Q

Which wire in a plug is green and yellow?

A

Earth wire.

38
Q

What is the function of the live wire in a plug?

A

Allows the current to enter the plug.

39
Q

What is the function of a neutral wire in a plug?

A

Connects to the cable in the wall and completes the circuit.

40
Q

What is the purpose of the Earth wire in a plug?

A

Provides a path for current to flow from the case of the device to the ground if there is a fault.

41
Q

What would happen if a fault occurred making the live wire loose, and there was no Earth wire?

A

The live wire could touch the case, and the next person who uses the appliance would get electrocuted.

42
Q

Describe the steps in the National Grid.

A

Power station —> Step-up transformers —> High voltage transmission lines —> Step-down transformers —> Consumers

43
Q

What does the National Grid do?

A

Distributed electricity across the country.

44
Q

What does a step-up transformer do?

A

Increases the voltage from 25,000 volts to 400,000 volts.

45
Q

What does a step-down transformer do?

A

Decreases the voltage from 400,000 Volts to 230 Volts for home usage.

46
Q

What is done to the cables in transmission lines to reduce power loss?

A

-The cables are thick to reduce resistance
-High voltages are used to reduce the current

47
Q

How can objects that are charged affect other charged objects?

A

By using the non-contact forces of static electricity.

48
Q

What is the charge of an electron?

A

-1

49
Q

What may happen when insulating material rub against each other?

A

They may become electrically charged. Electrons will be rubbed off one material and on to the other.

50
Q

What force gives electrons enough energy to leave the atom and be rubbed off an object?

A

Friction.

51
Q

What keeps charge static?

A

If the electrons can’t move.

52
Q

What do all charged objects have?

A

An electric field around them.

53
Q

What does a Van de Graaff generator do?

A

Removes electrons to produce a positive charge.

54
Q

What happens to a charge if an electric field is strong enough?

A

Charges can be forced through insulators such as air and a spark will occur. (This is what happens during a lightning strike)

GCSE Physics (8 decks)

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