Science - Electricity Flashcards
Charge of a Proton
Positive
Charge of a Neutron
Neutral
Charge of an electron
Negative
Function of a motor
Converts electrical energy to kinetic energy
Function of a generator
Converts kinetic energy into electrical energy
Function of a lightbulb
Converts electrical energy into light
Function of a Voltmeter
Measures the potential difference (voltage) across an energy user. Connected in parallel.
Function of a Ammeter
Measures the rate of electron flow (Amperes) at a certain point in an electrical circuit. Connected in series.
Function of an Ohmmeter
Measures the resistance of a certain component, connected in parallel
Meaning of brown wire in household wiring
Carries current to the component (Active)
Meaning of blue wire in household wiring
Carries current away from the component (Neutral)
Meaning of green and yellow wire in household wiring
Current only flows through this wire when there’s a leakage of current (Earth/Ground)
Fuse
Single use device with wires that melt at high temperatures, breaking the circuit. Used to prevent electrical fires.
Circuit breaker
Reusable device that reduces the risk of house fires by breaking the circuit when high current is detected.
Safety switch
Detects leaking current or an electrical fault and immediately turns off the electricity, reducing the chance of electric shock
Current electricity
The flow of electrons in a circuit
Static electricity
The build-up of electrons on a surface
Current
The flow of electrons in a circuit. Measured in Amperes (A)
Voltage
The difference in charge between two points. Measured in Volts (V)
Resistance
A material’s opposition to current. Measured in Ohms (Ω)
Voltage of standard electrical outlets in Australia
220V - 240V
Rules to determine the resistance of a wire
2 x Length = 2 x Resistance
2 x Thickness = 1/2 x Resistance
Circuit
A path on which electrons travel and deliver their energy
Batteries and power points are examples of ______
Energy Sources
A light bulb’s brightness is determined by _____
Both Voltage and Current
In a parallel circuit, if one energy user breaks or is removed, the circuit _______
Is still functional for the other users
In a series circuit, of one energy user breaks or is removed, the circuit _______
Breaks for all users
Current in a series circuit
Remains the same at all points
Voltage in a series circuit is what?
Is shared among the components
Total resistance in a series circuit
Is the sum of all the individual resistances of components in the circuit
Series circuit
When there’s only one possible path for the electrons to flow through
Parallel circuit
When there are multiple paths for electrons to flow
Total current in a parallel circuit
Current in a parallel circuit is calculated by adding the currents of the individual branches together
Ohms law
V=IR I=V/R R=V/I V = Voltage I = Current R = Resistance
Current of one branch in a parallel circuit
Calculated the same as a series circuit (I=V/R)
Voltage in a parallel circuit
All branches get the same, full voltage
Total resistance of a parallel circuit
Cannot be determined by just adding up all the individual resistances (We dont need to know this)
Advantages of parallel circuits over series circuits
- All branches receive the same voltage
- Each branch can be controlled individually
- One broken branch still allows for other branches to function
An electric current produces a __________
Magnetic field
Solenoid
A coil of wire with electricity flowing through it that produces a magnetic field
A complete circuit requires _____
A power source and a load (energy user)
Magnetic metals
- Cobalt
- Iron
- Nickel
Good conductors of electricity
- Metal
* Water
Bad conductors of electricity
• Basically anything but metal and water
Turbine
A generator that produces electrical energy by spinning an axle that turns a copper coil between two permanent magnets. This causes electricity to be produced due to electromagnetism.
Differences between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet
- Electromagnets can be turned on and off by turning the power source on and off, while a permanent magnet is permanent
- Electromagnets can change their strength based on the amount of electric current allowed to flow into them.
- Direction of magnetic field can be reversed by flipping direction of current
Possible safety considerations of an electrical experiment
- Ensure no water is nearby the experiment as water could be spilt which would short the circuit
- Ensure not to use mains electricity as mains electricity is dangerous and could cause electric shock or electrocution
DC Electricity
Electricity where the current flows in only one direction
AC Electricity
Where electric current regularly (50 times a second in Australia) reverses its direction of flow
Transformer
A device that increases or decreases the amount of voltage of Alternating Current
Resistor
A device that adds resistance to a circuit
First aid to someone who is electrocuted
- Turn off the power using something insulated (e.g. broom)
2. DRSABCD
