Current and charges Flashcards
(12 cards)
What does a diode do?
Allows current through one direction only
A diode is a semiconductor device that permits current flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction.
What does a LED do?
Emits light when a current is passed through it
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a type of diode that emits light as a result of electroluminescence.
What does an ammeter do?
Used to measure electrical current
An ammeter is typically connected in series within a circuit to accurately measure the current.
What does a fixed resistor do?
Limits the current in a circuit
Fixed resistors have a specific resistance value that does not change.
What does a variable resistor do?
Allows the current to be varied
A variable resistor, or potentiometer, can adjust its resistance to control current flow.
What does a fuse do?
Designed to break a circuit when the current exceeds a certain amount
Fuses are safety devices that prevent excessive current which can lead to fires.
What does a heater do?
Transfers energy from an electric current to heat the surroundings
Electric heaters convert electrical energy into thermal energy.
What does a voltmeter do?
Measures the potential difference
A voltmeter is connected in parallel to the component whose voltage is being measured.
Define electrical current.
A flow of charge
Electrical current refers to the movement of electric charge carriers, usually electrons.
What is the size of an electrical current?
The rate of flow of electric charge per second
Current is quantified as the amount of charge that passes a point in a circuit in a given time.
How is charge flow measured?
In coulombs
Coulombs are the standard unit of electric charge in the International System of Units (SI).
How is electrical current measured?
In amps
The ampere (amp) is the standard unit of measure for electrical current.
