S1 Electricity - Pupil Notes

Question 1

What is electricity?

Answer 1

Electricity is to do with the movement of electrons.

Electricity can be transformed into many other types of energy and is essential in modern society.

Question 2

What are the two main types of electricity?

Answer 2

1. Static electricity
2. Electrical current

Static electricity involves a build-up of electrons, while electrical current involves electrons flowing through a conductor.

Question 3

What is static electricity?

Answer 3

Static electricity is when there is a build-up of electrons on an object, such as rubbing a balloon on hair.

Electrons in static electricity do not flow unless a path is provided.

Question 4

What is electrical current?

Answer 4

Electrical current is the flow of electrons through a conductor, such as a copper wire.

Question 5

Define current in the context of electrical circuits.

Answer 5

Current is the flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A).

Question 6

Define voltage in the context of electrical circuits.

Answer 6

Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points, measured in volts (V).

Question 7

Define resistance in the context of electrical circuits.

Answer 7

Resistance is the opposition to the flow of current, measured in ohms (Ω).

Question 8

What are common circuit symbols for circuit components?

Answer 8

1. Wire
2. Battery
3. Bulb
4. Switch
5. Ammeter
6. Voltmeter
7. Ohmmeter
8. Resistor
9. Variable Resistor
10. Motor
11. Buzzer
12. LED

Question 9

Why do we use circuit diagrams?

Answer 9

We use circuit diagrams to represent circuits with symbols instead of pictures or photographs.

Question 10

What happens when the switch is open in a circuit?

Answer 10

There is no complete path for the current, so the electrons do not move and the bulb is off.

Question 11

What happens when the switch is closed in a circuit?

Answer 11

There is a complete path for the current, so the electrons move and the bulb is on.

Question 12

What are the characteristics of series circuits?

Answer 12

1. All components are connected in a single path
2. If one component fails, the entire circuit stops working
3. Adding more components decreases brightness

Question 13

What are the characteristics of parallel circuits?

Answer 13

1. Components are connected on multiple paths
2. If one component fails, others remain functional
3. Adding more components maintains brightness

Question 14

List advantages of series circuits.

Answer 14

1. Cheaper to build
2. Easier to construct

Question 15

List disadvantages of series circuits.

Answer 15

1. Failure of one component affects all others
2. Brightness decreases with added components

Question 16

List advantages of parallel circuits.

Answer 16

1. Failure of one component does not affect others
2. Maintains brightness with added components

Question 17

List disadvantages of parallel circuits.

Answer 17

1. More expensive due to increased wiring
2. More complex to build

Question 18

What devices are used to measure current, voltage, and resistance?

Answer 18

1. Ammeter
2. Voltmeter
3. Ohmmeter

Question 19

How do you measure current in a circuit?

Answer 19

Using an ammeter connected in series with the circuit.

Question 20

How do you measure voltage across a component?

Answer 20

Using a voltmeter connected in parallel with the component.

Question 21

How do you measure resistance of a component?

Answer 21

Using an ohmmeter connected to the component.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Current is measured in _______.

Answer 22

amperes (A)

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Voltage is measured in _______.

Answer 23

volts (V)

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Resistance is measured in _______.

Answer 24

ohms (Ω)