Physics P3 Flashcards
These flashcard cover electricity including static charge and simple circuits.
What is a characteristic graph?
It is a graph of current against potential difference (Y Axis: Current, X Axis: Potential Difference)
What does the characteristic graph for a resistance wire or a resistor look like?
The graph is linear as its resistance doesn’t change as the potential difference is changed.
What does the characteristic graph for a lamp look like?
The graph is non-linear as if the wire gets hot, the resistance varies resulting in a non-linear curve.
What does the characteristic graph for a diode look like?
A diode is a component that only allows a current to flow one way. As you apply a potential difference in the ‘forward’ direction very little current flows. Then the current suddenly increases but if you reverse the potential difference, there is no current.
