Electricity Flashcards
What is current? (I)
Current is the rate of the flow of charge.
Units - Amps (A)
What is voltage? (V)
Also known as ‘potential difference’, voltage is the ‘push’ that moves the electrons around the circuit.
Units - Volts (V)
What is electrical resistance? (R)
When there is resistance in the way of the path of electrons in a circuit (meaning it is harder for this charge to flow through the wire).
Units - Ohms (Ω)
How do you calculate resistance?
Resistance = Voltage ÷ Current
How do you calculate voltage?
Voltage = Current × Resistance
How do you calculate current?
Current = Voltage ÷ resistance
How can you describe the relationship between resistance of a wire and the length of it?
As the length of the wire increases, the resistance in that wire also increases.
(NOTE: If a scatter graph is shown, describe it to have a ‘positive correlation’)
Where does current flow from?
Current flows from positive to negative.
Describe a series ciruit.
A series circuit is where one component follows directly after with no junctions.
Describe a parallel circuit.
A parallel circuit is where different components are connected on different branches of wire.
What happens when you add more light bulbs in a series circuit?
When you add more light bulbs in a series circuit, the bulbs become less bright.
This is due to the fact that the current is shared equally across the light bulbs.
What happens when you add more light bulbs in a parallel circuit?
When you add more light bulbs in a parallel circuit, the bulbs’ brightness stay the same.
This is due to the fact that there are many paths/branches where the current can travel through to the light bulbs therefore smaller resistance.
Compare the resistance in a series circuit to that of a parallel circuit.
The resistance in a series circuit is greater than the resistance in a parallel circuit.
(NOTE: We can come to this conclusion from the brightness of the light bulbs)
