Topic 1.0: electrical energy, transferred/stored Flashcards
(44 cards)
Atoms
The protons are in the nucleus and the electrons orbit the nucleus
Proton/electron
P: Have a positive charge
E: have a negative charge
Charges on particles can cause either attractive or repulsive forces between the particles
Neutral
When most objects have equal amounts if positive and negative charge, which makes them neutral
Some objects can have more of one type of particle than another
Static electricity
Means not moving or stationary
It doesn’t flow like the electrons in an electrical current
Charge separation
Caused by charged objects when they are brought close to neutral objects
Ex. Rubbing a balloon on your head transfers electrons from your hair to the balloon
When you bring the charges side of the balloon to a wall the negative charge of the balloon repels the electrons in the wall (opposites attract)
Electrical discharge
The build up charge on an object may attract to another object and jump to that object
Ex. When your feet move across the carpet, electrons transfer from the carpet to your body. This excess charge of electrons in your body repels the electrons in the doorknob as you get close to it. The doorknob part that is closest to you is positively charges there for the negative electrons in your body moves to the knob and creates a shock
The laws of electrical charges
Opposite charges attract each other
Like charges repel each other
Van De Graaff Generators
Scientists use this device to study electrician discharge
They are effective for building up static charge using friction
A rubber belt rubs on a piece of metal and transfers the charge to a sphere. The charge builds up on the sphere and transfers I your body once you touch it
Electrical current
The steady flow of charged particles
Is a type if electricity needed to operate electrical devices
Unlike static electricity because it flows continuously as long as two conditions are met… The flow of electrical current requires an energy source and the electrical current will not flow unless it has a complete path or circuit for the charged particles to flow through
Amperes
The rate at which an electrical current flows is measures in amperes (A) also called amp for short
Named in honour of the French physicist, mathematician and philosopher Andre-Marie Ampere
Most devices around a home have a current less than 15 A
Conductors
Allows electrical current to move through easily
It brings electricity from the place it was produced to the place it was needed
Conduction of electricity through wires aloes for the transfer of electrical energy from place to place
Circuits
Paths that control the flow of electricity
The electrical circuits path that electricity flows along is made of solid metal wires
Circuits can also include gases, other fluids or other substances
Usually includes a conductor, an energy source and a load
Load
A device to convert electrical energy to another from of energy
Used in circuits
Ex. Light bulb: converts electrical energy to light and heat
Electrical energy
Energy carried by charged particles
Voltage
The measure of how much electrical energy each charged particle carries
The higher the greater the potential energy of each particle
also called potential difference
Potential difference
Another name for voltage
The energy delivered by a flow if charged particles is equal to the voltage times the total charge of electrons
Volt
The unit of voltage (V)
Named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta
For safety reasons most of the voyages in everyday devices are fairly low
Ex. Flashlights and partake stereos rarely use more than 6 V
Measuring voltage with a voltmeter
The simplest way to measure voltage
Have sensitive needles that can be damaged if connected improperly
Attach red lead to positive terminal
Attach black lead to negative terminal
Some voltmeters have more than one red terminal: used to change the range of voltage readings on the voltmeter
If the meter is several ranges you may be unsure which one to choose… Start with the highest one and work your way down till you get a clear reading
Millivolt
Some meters have readings in millivolts
Each is 1/1000 of a volt
Some meters have digital displays which make the voltage values very easy to read
Measuring voltage with computers
Connect a voltmeter to a computer to measure voltage as well
With this device tho connect the terminals the same way as for other voltmeters but your voltage reading appears on a computer screen
Short circuit
When the current inside the circuit bypasses part of the normal circuit
However if the electricity can find another path to flow through such as a persons body to the goring then it will take that path
Ex. When a power line gets knocked down all the power goes out because it has interrupted the circuit
Dangers of electrical shock
Consider to important aspects if electricity: voltage and amperage
High voltage is dangerous compared to low voyage: however some small voltages can kill if the chock carries a significant number of amps
The number if amps is more important than voltage when assessing the potential danger of an electrical shock
Ex. If there were to jump or step out of a car that has been electrocuted the person would create a path for the electricity to travel through into the ground and harm the person… You should stay in the vehicle and wait for help
Insulators
Affect electrical shock by making the current not flow easily
Ex. Wood, rubber and air
Substances such as mud or damp soil can conduct some electricity.. You might feel a shock by roughing a dry fence while wearing shoes but if you are bare foot and in the rain you would receive a terrible shock
Protecting yourself from electrical shock
Never handle electrical devices while we for near water
Don’t use a power cord that is frayed/broken
Always unplug electrical devices before looking in or servicing them
Don’t out anything in an electrical outlet rather than proper plugs
Don’t over load circuits by plugging in too many devices
Stay away from power lines
Don’t bypass safety features on devices or in home
When unplugging device don’t pull on cord, on plug instead
Never remove the third prong on a three-prong plug