Topic 10: Electricity and circuits

Question 1

What three subatomic components make up an atom?

Answer 1

Protons
Neutrons
Electrons

Question 2

Describe structure of an atom

Answer 2

Neutrons and protons in the nucleus.

Electrons surrounding nucleus in shells.

Question 3

Atom has two charged particles, name them.

Answer 3

Electron (-1)

Proton (+1)

Question 4

In a closed circuit, if there’s always potential difference, there also is a…?

Answer 4

Current

Question 5

Definition of current

Answer 5

The rate of flow of electrons (charge) around a circuit.

Question 6

Unit for charge

Answer 6

Coulombs

Question 7

Describe the symbol for a fuse

Answer 7

A rectangle with a line going through it parallel.

Question 8

Describe the circuit symbol for a diode

Answer 8

A circle with a >| shape inside it like a pause sign on a remote

Question 9

Describe circuit symbol for resistor

Answer 9

Rectangle with no line through it

Question 10

Describe circuit symbol for a thermistor.

Answer 10

A rectangle with a diagonal line going through it left to right.

Question 11

Describe circuit symbol for a variable resistor

Answer 11

A thermistor bit with an arrow on the line on the right

Question 12

Describe circuit symbol for a LDR

Answer 12

A circle with a rectangle in it with arrows on the top left of it pointing inside.

Question 13

Describe circuit symbol for a LED

Answer 13

A diode but with arrows on top right pointing outwards.

Question 14

What are two ways a component can be connected in a circuit?

Answer 14

Series (1 whole loop)

Parallel (adjacent loop)

Question 15

Voltage is also known as

Answer 15

Potential difference

Question 16

How does potential difference vary in parallel and series circuits?

Answer 16

In a series, the P.D is shared with all components in a circuit.

In parallel, the P.D across each component is the same.

Question 17

If two resistors are connected in a parallel, what can be said about combined resistance.

Answer 17

Total resistance is less than the smallest of the 2 individual resistances.

Question 18

If two resistors are connected in a series, what can be said about combined resistance.

Answer 18

Total combined resistance is equal to the sum of two individual resistances.

Question 19

In a circuit where does the voltmeter get placed.

Answer 19

Parallel to the component being measured.

Question 20

A volt can also be said as?

Answer 20

Joule per coulomb

Question 21

What is an electric current

Answer 21

Rate of flow of charge

Question 22

What can be said about the current in a single loop.

Answer 22

Current same at all points

Question 23

2 factors current in a circuit depend on

Answer 23

Potential difference (V)
Resistance (R)

Question 24

What is an ammeter and where is it placed in a circuit.

Answer 24

It measure current

Placed in a series with the component being measured.

Question 25

What happens when a current meets a junction in a circuit.

Answer 25

Current is conserved, total current stays the same and split between the 2 branches.