Electricity - Simple Circuits Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is an electric circuit?
A path that allows electricity to flow.
What does a battery do in a circuit?
It pushes the electric current around the circuit (it’s the power source).
What is needed to make a complete circuit?
A power source (like a battery), wires, and a component (like a bulb).
What is the purpose of a wire in a circuit?
It connects the components and lets the electricity flow.
What is current?
The flow of electric charge around a circuit.
What unit is current measured in?
Amperes (or amps, A).
What tool measures current?
An ammeter.
What is voltage?
The push that makes electric charges move.
What unit is voltage measured in?
Volts (V).
What tool measures voltage?
A voltmeter.
What happens if a circuit is broken?
The electricity stops flowing—nothing will work.
What is a conductor?
A material that allows electricity to flow through it easily.
What is an insulator?
A material that does not allow electricity to flow through it.
Is plastic a conductor or insulator?
Insulator.
Is copper a conductor or insulator?
Conductor.
What is a switch used for in a circuit?
To turn the circuit on or off.
What happens when a switch is closed?
The circuit is complete—electricity can flow.
What happens when a switch is open?
The circuit is broken—electricity can’t flow.
What does a bulb do in a circuit?
It lights up when current flows through it.
What happens to a bulb if you add more batteries?
It gets brighter (because more voltage means more energy in the circuit).
