Simple Theory - Understanding How Electricity Works Flashcards
What is electrical current?
The movement of electrons through a conductor, similar to water flowing through a pipe.
What are the key terms related to electricity?
- Voltage (Volts): Pressure that pushes electrons.
- Current (Amps): Flow rate of electrons.
- Resistance (Ohms): Opposition to electron flow.
What is the formula for current?
Amps = Volts ÷ Ohms
What is electrical power?
Power (Watts) = Voltage (Volts) × Current (Amps)
How does the water pipe analogy relate to electricity?
Increasing water pressure = increasing voltage (more current).
Increasing pipe size = decreasing resistance (more current).
What is resistance?
Resistance limits the flow of electrons, just like friction in a pipe.
This is expressed in Ohms.
What is electromotive force (EMF)?
The driving force of electrons, expressed as voltage (Volts).
What is current?
The flow of electrons, measured in amperes (Amps).
What is power in electrical systems?
The amount of work electrical flow can do, measured in watts (W).
Power in electrical systems is the rate at which electrical energy is used, transferred, or converted into another form, like heat, light, or motion. It tells how much work is being done by electricity over time and is measured in watts (W).
For simplicity:
In DC systems: Power = Voltage × Current (P=V⋅I)
In AC systems: Power depends on voltage, current, and how in-sync they are (power factor).
Think of it as “how much energy is being used or supplied every second.”
What are Ohm’s Laws?
Ohm’s Laws describe how voltage, current, and resistance are related.
What is the formula for power using Ohm’s Laws?
W = E × I (Watts = Volts × Amps)
W = Watts (Power)
E = Volts (Voltage)
I = Amps (Current)
What do amperes (AMPS) measure?.
Amps measure the volume of current (electrons flowing per second)
What do volts measure?
Volts measure the pressure under which electricity moves.
What do watts measure?
Watts measure power, calculated by multiplying amperage and voltage.
What is the formula for current using Ohm’s Laws?
I = W ÷ E (Amps = Watts ÷ Volts)
I = Amps (Current)
W = Watts (Power)
E = Volts (Voltage)
