topic 2 - electricity Flashcards
series vs parallel
current
series the current flows in one path (it doesn’t have any branches ) and the current is the same all the way around
parallel circuit is made up of 2 or more branches and the current adds up to the total current leaving the cell
current in series
it has no branches
the current flows in one path
in a series circuit the current is the same all the way around
current in parallel circuit
parallel circuit is made up of 2 or more branches
the current adds up to the total current leaving the cell
potential difference in series circuit
the total PD is shared between each component
the lamps become dimmer because the energy is being shared
potential difference in parallel circuit
PD across each component is the same
the resistance in a series circuit
the total resistance of 2 components is the sum of the resistance of each component
resistance in a parallel circuit
the total resistant of 2 resistors is less than the resistance of the smallest individual
lamp
heats filament to give out light
voltmeter
measures the potential difference
open switch and closed switch
turns the circuit on and off
ammeter
measures the current
fixed resistor
reduces the flow of electrical charge
variable resistor
resistance can be changed
thermistor
depends on the temperature resistance decreases = temperature increases
what is electric current
the flow of electrical charge
