Basic Electrical Engineering (ELEN 016)

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of one ampere of current?

The accumulation of one coulomb of charge.

The flow of one coulomb per minute.

The transfer of one coulomb per hour.

The movement of one coulomb past a point in one second. (correct)

Which type of voltage describes a current that flows in only one direction?

Pulsating Current

Bidirectional Current

Direct Current (DC) (correct)

Dynamic Current

Why is alternating current (AC) considered more efficient than direct current (DC)?

It is always more dangerous.

It cannot be transformed into higher voltage.

It is easier to produce and cheaper to maintain. (correct)

It requires more maintenance.

What characterizes conductors in electrical systems?

They permit electric current to flow easily. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of electricity?

Electric Resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic unit for measuring electric current?

Amperes (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which material is classified as a conductor?

Copper Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the force that causes the movement of electrons in a circuit?

Voltage Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the flow of electricity in an insulator?

It is obstructed Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a semiconductor in terms of valence electrons?

Exactly 4 valence electrons Signup and view all the answers

In the context of electrical circuits, what does the term 'ground' refer to?

The reference point for measurements Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of protons in an atom?

To provide a positive charge Signup and view all the answers

What does resistance measure in an electrical context?

The difficulty of current flowing Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon did Thales of Miletus observe when amber is rubbed with fur?

The creation of static electricity Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is associated with William Gilbert's experiments?

Static electricity through friction Signup and view all the answers

What type of charge do protons carry?

Positive charge Signup and view all the answers

What does a neutral charge indicate in an object?

Equal number of protons and electrons Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of static electricity?

Electricity energy at rest Signup and view all the answers

In terms of electric charge, how do positive charges interact with each other?

They repel each other Signup and view all the answers

What term did William Gilbert coin to describe the phenomenon he studied?

Electricity Signup and view all the answers

What does a negative charge represent in terms of subatomic particles?

A surplus of electrons Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fundamentals of Electricity

Module Title: Basic Electrical Engineering (ELEN 016)
Professor: Engr. Jomar J. Daciles, REE, RME, SO2
Institution: Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Objectives

Explain electricity and related electrical terminology
List and describe sources of electricity
Differentiate between insulators and conductors

What is Electricity?

Electricity is a form of energy from charged particles (electrons/protons).
It can be static (accumulation of charge) or dynamic (current).
Electricity can also be a state of excitement or thrilling feeling.

Background: Thales of Miletus

(624-546 BCE) - early contributor to philosophy, mathematics and astronomy
Credited with early observations of static electricity; experimented with amber
Noted rubbing amber (fossilized resin) with fur can attract light objects (feathers, straw).
This is one of the earliest observations of static electricity and important for later scientific discoveries.

Background: William Gilbert

(1544-1603) - pioneering figure in electricity and magnetism
Laid groundwork for understanding static electricity.
Demonstrated various materials producing an attractive force through experiments.
First to recognize that rubbing certain substances creates static electricity
Coined the word "electricity" based on the Greek word for amber (electron).
Significance: His work is foundational for the development of electrical sciences.

Static Electricity

Electricity that is at rest
Electric Charge: A quantity of electricity held in an object
Two types of electric charge: Positive and Negative
Neutral Charge: Equal amounts of positive and negative charges

Electrical Charge

Positive charge: Associated with protons in the atomic nucleus.
- repels other positive charges, attracts negative charges
Negative charge: Associated with electrons orbiting the atomic nucleus.
- repels other negative charges, attracts positive charges
Neutral charge: Equal number of protons and electrons in a substance.

Electrical Charge (Protons and Electrons)

Protons: Positively charged particles found in the atomic nucleus
Electrons: Negatively charged particles orbiting the atomic nucleus
Electrostatic Repulsion: Like charges repel each other
Electrostatic Attraction: Opposite charges attract each other

Overview of Electricity

Electricity is made up of negatively and positively charged elements, which are electrons and protons respectively
Electric current is the directed movement of free electrons.

Electrical Terminologies

Circuits: A closed path for current flow, including a source, conductor, and load
Current: The flow of free electrons in a circuit, measured in Amperes (A)
Voltage: Potential difference in charge, measured in volts (V); the force to move charge.
Resistance: The opposition to current flow in a substance, measured in ohms (Ω)

Conductors and Insulators

Conductor: Materials that allow electric current to flow easily (metal).
Insulator: Materials that resist electric current flow (rubber, porcelain, plastic).

Third Party Disturbances

Heat, Magnetism, Chemical reaction, Photon Energy, Friction

Current (Electric Current)

Directed flow of free electrons

Methods to Have Free Electron

Valence electrons: outermost shell electrons in an atom.
Insulators: Greater number of valence electrons than 4.
Semi-conductors: Equal to 4 valence electrons.
Conductors: Less than 4 valence electrons

Voltage (V)

Force that moves charge, measured by the work done in moving a charge through an electric field. The quantitative expression of potential difference in charge between two points in an electrical field.
Formula: V = W/Q
- Voltage (V) = Work (W) done divided by Charge (Q)

Sources of Electricity

(no specific sources listed in the provided text)

Types of Voltage

Direct Current (DC)
Alternating Current (AC)

Direct Current (DC)

One-directional flow of current, Negative to Positive
Example: A battery

Direct Current Example

Solar panels converting sunlight into electricity
Deep-cycle batteries store power
Inverter converts DC to AC power
Using a power bank

Alternating Current (AC)

Reverses its direction periodically.
Example: Power lines in most homes, commonly used for homes.

AC advantage over DC

Easier and cheaper production
Distributing AC over longer distances is cheaper, higher voltage distribution is simpler
More efficient

Example: Rectifier

Device that converts AC to DC Voltage

Power Generation

(diagram/illustration provided)

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of electricity, including key terminology, sources of electricity, and the distinction between conductors and insulators. Students will also explore the historical contributions of Thales of Miletus to our understanding of static electricity. Evaluate your knowledge on these essential concepts in electrical engineering.