P2: electricity Flashcards
Define electricity
The motion of charged particles
How does an object become charged?
For something to become charged it has to gain or loose electrons
Why do charge objects attract or repel?
Charged objects attract or repel because they create electric fields around themselves
How is lightning made?(4):
- clouds become negatively charged due to friction from hail.
- this repels electrons on the ground, revealing the protons
- electrons try to move to the ground, those who have create a path for other electrons
- this creates heat and light,which is lightning
What fuels a circuit?
The fuel in a circuit is the battery/cell , the ENERGY it provides is measured in JOULES
charge(3):
Measured in coulombs (c)
Charge= current(a) x time(s)
(Q=I X T )
Define potential difference
The energy transferred per unit charge
PD= energy(j)/charge(c)
Define current
The speed at which they move around, measured in AMPS (A)
Define resistance(2):
- The measure of how much the current is slowed down by components in a circuit
- Resistance(Ω)= current (a) / potential difference (v)
Electricity is …
Always trying to find the fastest route to the ground
What is ohms law?
Ohm’s law states that the current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across two points.
Overhead and under ground cables(6):
Overhead: \+ easier to fix + does not require a cooling system + could fall - ugly Underground : \+ electricity won’t shock anyone - requires cooling system (expensive)
Series circuits(2):
- CURRENT IS THE SAME
- POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE IS SHARED
Parallel circuits(2):
- CURRENT IS SHARED
- POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE IS THE SAME
What is the purpose of the fuse?
If for any reason the voltage gets too high the thin wire in the fuse will snap and melt, cutting the circuit
What is the mains electricity?
230V
What is the equation of power?
Power= voltage x current P= V X I
Power= (current)^2 x resistance P= I ^2 x R
Power = Work done / time P= W/t
The national grid(5):
Power station-step up transformer-pylons and cables-step down transformer-house
Power:
P= energy(j)/time(s)
Direct current:
Flow of electric charge in only one direction
Alternating current:
Electric current continually changes direction
Live wire(2):
- Brown
- Conducting wire connection that carries the alternating current
Neutral wire(3):
- Blue
- Conducting wire connection that allows electrical charge to its return source
- Completes the circuit
The National Grid (definition):
A network of cables and transformers that links power stations to consumers across the country
Why are the outer castings of plugs made from plastic?
This is because plastic is an insulator and does not conduct electricity
Step-up transformers:
Transformers that changes an alternating potential difference across the primary coil to a higher potential difference across the secondary coil
Step-down transformers:
Transformers that changes an alternating potential difference across the primary coil to a lower potential difference across the secondary coil
Ammeters are connected in…
Series
Voltmeters are connected in…
Parallel
In any Ohmic resistor the resistance…
stays constant
Current flows from the…
positive end to the negative end of the battery
The current and potential difference alternates between…(2)
The live wire and the neutral wire
The earth wire(3):
- It is named as such because it is connected to the earth
- Current will pass through the earth wire if there is a fault
- It is a safety wire to stop appliances becoming live
Why are the pins in a plug made of brass?(2)
- Conducts electricity
- Does not oxidize
Why is copper used in wires?(3)
- Ductile
- Bends easily
- Conducts electricity
Van Der Graff machine:(4)
- The band moves in the machine which creates friction
- This makes the dome negatively charged
- This also makes the person touching the dome negatively charged
- The hair separates as it is all negatively charged and so they repel
What do the letters AC stand for?
Alternating current
What happens to the resistance of the temperature increases?
It increases because of the increased movement of particles obstructing the current
Electricity is transferred across a step-up transformers to…
Increase the potential difference from power stations