Physics Part 2 CURRENT ELECTRICITY Flashcards
current electricity
the flow of electrons
electric circuit
a continuous path in which electrons flow in one direction
electric energy
energy provided by the movement of electrons in an electrical circuit
AC current
alternating current, flow of electrons alternates
DC
direct current, electrons only flow in one direction
basic parts of a circuit
- a cell
- a load
- a wire
sources
cell: coverts chemical energy into electrical energy
battery: more than one cell connected in series
- gives electrons the energy to move
Conductors
wires: allows electrons to move through teh circuit
Control the circuit
switch: controls the flow of electrons through the circuit
loads
device that converts electrical energy into other forms of usuable energy
ex. light bulbs, resistors
Types of electric cells
primary: only be used ONCE, chemical reaction in cell is NOT REVERSABLE
secondary: can be RECHARGED and reused
a fuel cell: converts chemical energy from a fuel into electrical enegy
types of circuits
series: one path for electrons
parallel: multiple paths for electrons
What affects resistance
temperature: warmer = more resistance
length: longer = more resistance
diameter: larger = less resistance
material: conductive = less resistance
