Science Unit 2.5 Flashcards
What is a circuit
Circuit is a continuous loop consisting of an energy source, conducting wires, one or more loads, and a switch
What is a series circuit
A circuit that has only one pathway from the current to flow.
What is a parallel circuit
A circuit that has two or more paths for current to flow
What is an electric current
Electric current is the rate of electron flow past a specific point in a current
What is the unit of measurement and symbol for electric current
The unit of measurement=Ampere (A)
Symbol= I (uppercase i)
What is a ammeter and what is specific about it
An ammeter is an instrument for measuring electric current in amperes. It must be connected in SERIES with a load to measure the current flowing through the load
What is potential difference (voltage)
The difference in the amount of energy that charge carries, like a wire or load, have between two points in a circuit
What is the unit of measurement and symbol for voltage
The unit for voltage is the volt (v)
How to measure voltage
Voltmeter is a device to design to measure the potential difference. Unlike an ammeter, a voltmeter must be connected to a parallel circuit with a load or an energy source.
What is resistance
Electrical resistance is the opposition to the movement of electrons as they flow through a circuit .
What is the unit of measurement and symbol for resistance
Symbol=R
Unit of measurement= Ohm (Ω)
What are the factors that affect resistance
- Types of Materials
- Cross-sectional Area
- Length
- Temperature
Types of materials
The ability of a material to conduct electricity is determined by health really electrons can move within the material.
Cross-Sectional Area
Electrons flowing through a thicker wire, have more room to move freely compared to thinner wires
Length
As you increase the length of a wire, it’s internal resistance increases. This happens because electrons have to travel through more materials.
