Electrical engineering

Question 1

Where are electrical components used?

Answer 1

Circuits in houses

Question 2

Where are electronic components used?

Answer 2

Phone, tv

Question 3

What types of material is used in electrical components?

Answer 3

Metals and alloys (conductors)

Ex: Copper

Question 4

What types of material is used in electronic components?

Answer 4

Non-metals/Metalloids
(semi-conductors)
Ex: silicon

Question 5

What is the size of circuits in electrical components?

Answer 5

Huge

Question 6

What is the size of circuits in electronic components?

Answer 6

Micro (small)

Question 7

How powerful are circuits in electrical components?

Answer 7

Powerful

Question 8

How powerful are circuits in electronic components?

Answer 8

Minimal power

Question 9

Describe direct current.

Answer 9

The electrons are flowing in one direction

Question 10

Describe alternating current.

Answer 10

When the electrons flow back and forth, many times per second, in a regular pattern. Usually used in a power supply.

Helps keep V high to go to a greater distance from power station to home.

Question 11

Study components.

Answer 11

do it

Question 12

What is the function of a power supply?

Answer 12

Components that can generate or provide the energy that makes an electric current in a circuit

Question 13

Advantages of batteries

Answer 13

Portable appliances

Question 14

Disadvantages of batteries

Answer 14

• Must be replaced after some time

- When thrown out, the cells in batteries can harm the environment

Question 15

What are the different kinds of power supplies?

Answer 15

• Batteries
• Electrical outlet
• Photovoltaic cell

Question 16

Advantages of electrical outlets

Answer 16

• Stable and long lasting

- Little greenhouse gas

Question 17

Disadvantages of electrical outlets

Answer 17

• Hydroelectric dams cause flooding
• Appliances can’t be moved far from wall outlet
• Appliances don’t work during power outages

Question 18

Advantages of photovoltaic cells

Answer 18

• Can be used in isolated areas
• Power portable devices
• No greenhouse gas emissions
• Life span 20-30 years

Question 19

Disadvantages of photovoltaic cells

Answer 19

• Operation depends on weather conditions

- Very expensive to install

Question 20

Describe the function of a switch

Answer 20

• To control
• Gives user control
• The component that can turn the circuit on and off

Question 21

What does the amount of poles affect?

Answer 21

The number of contacts open

number of switches

Question 22

What does the amount of throws affect?

Answer 22

The number of circuit options/paths for electrons to be activated
(amount of circuits which can be turned on/off)

Question 23

Define double throw

Answer 23

(bi-directional)

There are 2 different circuit options

Question 24

Define single throw

Answer 24

(mono-directional)

Only 1 path for electrons can be activated

Question 25

Define single pole.

Double pole.

Answer 25

Single: 1 contact opens

Double: 2 contacts open

Question 26

What are the different types of switches?

Answer 26

• Push button
• Lever (toggle)
• Flip flop (rocker)
• Magnetic contact switch

Question 27

What is the function of a conductor? Give examples.

Answer 27

Component that can conduct electric current from one part of a circuit to another

Ex: Copper, gold wire

Question 28

What is the function of insulators/insulation?

Answer 28

Component that can insulate the flow of electrons (from point A to point B)

Question 29

Describe the function of fuses/breakers?

Answer 29

Component that protects. It automatically stops current flow in the case of a power surge

Question 30

Describe fuses

Answer 30

• Function: protect
• Container with a conductive wire inside with low heat resistance
  When current intensity is too high the filament melts/breaks due to intense heat of moving electrons stops current flow in the event of too much current/power
• Fuse must be replaced once filament breaks

Question 31

Describe breakers

Answer 31

• Function: Protect
• A switch (control) with a metal strip inside
• When current intensity is too high, the bimetallic strip gets hot and bends and therefore prevents an electric current from flowing through the circuit
• Flick the switch to re-establish the flow of electric current

Question 32

Describe the energy transformation in light bulbs/LEDs.

Answer 32

Electrical energy–> Light and heat

Question 33

Describe the energy transformation in batteries.

Answer 33

• Function: to power

In use:
Chemical energy –> Electrical energy and heat

Being charged:
Electrical energy–> Chemical energy and heat

Question 34

Describe the energy transformation in motors

Answer 34

Electrical energy–> Mechanical energy and heat and sound

Question 35

Describe the energy transformation in speakers

Answer 35

Electrical energy –> sound and mechanical energy and heat

Question 36

Describe the energy transformation in audible warning devices

Answer 36

Electrical energy –> sound and heat

Question 37

Describe capacitors

Answer 37

A device composed of two electrical surfaces separated by an insulating material. It can store electrical charge (remove insulting material=quick discharge)

Question 38

What are capacitors used for?

Answer 38

Used as a back-up of electrical charge when there is a large power voltage drop or when you need a quick boost of charge (camera flash)

Question 39

Describe diodes

Answer 39

Diodes allow current to flow in only one direction

Question 40

Give an example of how DIODES (not LEDs) are useful

Answer 40

If you put your battery in the remote control backwards it doesn’t fry fragile electronic parts

Question 41

Why are LEDs useful?

Answer 41

Highly energy efficient
In: phone, computer screen, flats screen tvs, traffic light

• LESS DISSIPATED ENERGY

Question 42

What is it called when electrical energy is transformed into heat?

Answer 42

Heat is dissipated energy