Unit C | Topic 2.1-2.3 | Circuits and schematics

Question 1

What properties do electrons have in insulators?

Answer 1

Electrons are bound tightly to the nuclei, which results in little movement

Question 2

What properties do electrons have in conductors with no voltage?

Answer 2

Electrons are no longer bonded to the nuclei, and can drift away in any direction

Question 3

What properties do electrons have in conductors when voltage is applied?

Answer 3

Electrons will flow towards the positive terminal of the voltage source

Question 4

Definition of:
Superconductor

Answer 4

A material that has no resistance to electron flow

Question 5

Definition of:
Resistance

Answer 5

A measure of how difficult it is for electrons to flow

Question 6

What is resistance measured with?

Answer 6

Ohms “Ω”

Question 7

True or false:
Resistors do not affect the current of an electrical circuit

Answer 7

False:
Higher resistance from resistors reduce the amount of current

Question 8

Does a substance gain more or less energy when resistance increases?
Why?

Answer 8

A substance gains more energy as resistance increases because the resistance on the electrons generates friction, which produces energy

Question 9

Definition of:
Variable resistor

Answer 9

A resistor that can be adjusted to change the current of an electrical circuit

Question 10

What’s the difference between a resistor and a variable resistor?

Answer 10

A resistor has a set value that usually cannot be changed, however, a variable resistor has the ability to change the value of current on demand

Question 11

What are the four basic parts of a circuit?

Answer 11

1. Energy source
2. Conductor that provides a path for current
3. A switch controlling flow
4. A load

Question 12

What are the rules for drawing a circuit diagram?

Answer 12

1. Use a pencil on graphed or unlined paper
2. Place components in a rectangular or square arrangement
3. Draw conductors (wires) straight with right angled corners
4. Be neat :\

Question 13

Definition of:
Series circuit

Answer 13

A circuit in which there is only one pathway for electrons to flow

Question 14

Does the resistance of an electrical circuit increase or decrease when a new component is added?

Answer 14

The resistance increases because a component will almost always have a small amount of resistance.

Question 15

True or false:
The current of a series circuit will be the same throughout the entire circuit

Answer 15

False
Current will “split” at an intersection of a series circuit and “rejoin” when the current reconnects.

Question 16

True or false:
In a series circuit, the voltage is the same throughout the entire circuit

Answer 16

False:
The voltage is shared throughout the circuit

Question 17

Definition of:
Parallel circuit

Answer 17

A circuit in which there can be a separate path for each section of the circuit

Question 18

What is the formula for Voltage

Answer 18

V=IR

Question 19

What is the formula for Current?

Answer 19

I=V/R

Question 20

What is the formula for Resistance?

Answer 20

R=V/I

Question 21

What is the symbol for Voltage?

Answer 21

V

Question 22

What is the symbol for Current?

Answer 22

I

Question 23

What is the symbol for Resistance

Answer 23

R “Ω”

Question 24

Why does adding more circuits to a parallel circuit decrease the overall resistance?

Answer 24

The more places for electrons to go, the less crowded they are, which decreases resistance

Question 25

True or false:
Voltage is the same everywhere in a parallel circuit

Answer 25

True:
Voltage remains the same throughout a parallel circuit

Question 26

What happens to current when it reaches a split in a parallel circuit?

Answer 26

The current splits (not always evenly) and rejoins at the end of the parallel

Question 27

Definition of:
Transistors

Answer 27

A component used in microchips as a form of “switch”