Atoms, Circuits, and Conductors Quiz

Atoms

• Atoms are the building blocks of matter
• Atoms are made up of smaller particles: neutrons (no charge), protons (positive charge), and electrons (negative charge)
• Neutrons and protons form the nucleus
• Electrons orbit the nucleus

Circuit

• A circuit is a closed path for electricity to flow
• A circuit contains wires or electrical devices
• Current flow can't be seen directly, but effects like bulb lighting or motor spinning are visible
• A circuit needs a source of electrical energy to operate devices

Computer

• A computer is an electronic device that stores, processes, and receives information represented as ones and zeros

Conductors

• Conductors are materials (like metals) with loosely held electrons
• Electrons in conductors move easily from one atom to another
• Electric current is the flow of electrons through a conductor
• All metals are conductors; some nonmetals, like graphite, are also conductors

Current

• Current is a measure of how quickly electrical energy is flowing through a circuit

Diode

• A diode is an electrical device allowing current flow in only one direction

Dry Cell

• A dry cell is an electrochemical cell typically made of a zinc can, carbon rod, and chemical paste
• The cell has positive and negative terminals
• The dry cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy, which is used up over time

Electricity

• Moving electrons produce electrical current
• Electricity and magnetism are closely related
• Electricity can be produced by a moving magnet
• A current in a wire creates a magnetic field
• Electric current can be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC)
• Batteries produce DC current
• Household electricity is AC current

Electromagnet

• An electromagnet is a large coil of wire that acts like a magnet when a current flows through it
• Placing an iron bar inside an electromagnet increases its magnetic effects

Electronics

• Electronics involve using electrons to control, communicate, or process information
• An electronic signal is a varying electric current
• Components in electronic circuits alter the flow of electricity; some slow it down, others speed it up

Energy

• Energy can change from one form to another(e.g., converting electrical energy to mechanical energy through a motor)
• Electrical energy creates movement, as seen when current flows through a motor
• Electricity can also produce heat and light, as shown by current flowing through a lamp
• Many different energy sources (e.g., biomass, photovoltaics, etc.) are available to create electrical energy

Insulators

• Insulators are materials (like glass and rubber) that don't allow electric current to flow under normal conditions
• These materials are used to prevent electricity from flowing where it's not wanted

Integrated Circuit

• An integrated circuit (IC) is a circuit made on a small semiconductor chip (usually silicon)
• An IC includes many tiny diodes, transistors, and resistors
• Common in many electronic devices

Lamp

• A lamp in a circuit is a small light bulb
• Electricity flows through a filament of wire within the lamp, causing it to glow

LED

• LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is a type of diode that only allows current flow one way when voltage is at or above a certain threshold; they emit light
• They require a small amount of electricity to light up
• Commonly used as indicator lights in electronic devices.

Mechanical Motor

• Electricity is closely related to magnetism; moving charges create magnetic fields identical to that generated by a small magnet
• Motors have multiple wire loops that, when a large current passes through, produce a strong localized magnetic field capable of rotating the motor coils/shaft attached to them
• The shaft rotates due to alignment with a permanent magnet

Parallel Circuit

• A parallel circuit has multiple paths for electricity to flow.

Resistance

• Resistance is anything that opposes the flow of electricity in a circuit; including wires, lamps, motors, speakers, LEDs, transistors, and integrated circuits.
• It is measured in ohms

Semiconductor

• A semiconductor is a material (usually silicon) that only allows some electrons to flow through it.

Series Circuit

• A series circuit has only one path for electricity to flow. All components are connected end-to-end
• As more components are added, resistance increases and the current flowing through the circuit decreases

Terminals

• Terminals are the points where connections are made to electrical devices
• Electrical devices, like dry cells, have terminals for connection

Transistor

• A transistor is a device that amplifies electronic signals or switches the current on and off
• Transistors are commonly found in computer circuits and electronic devices
• One computer chip can have millions of transistors

Voltage

• Voltage is a measure of the strength of the electrical charge between two materials
• Voltage is sometimes referred to as the electrical pressure pushing current through a circuit
• It is measured in volts

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of atoms, circuits, and electrical conductors. This quiz covers essential concepts including the structure of atoms, how circuits function, and what makes a material a conductor. Ideal for students exploring basic physics and electronics.