Castle Electricity Section 3

Castle Electricity Section 3

• Schematic Diagrams:
  • Positive battery terminal is represented by a longer line with a "+" sign.
  • Negative battery terminal is represented by a shorter line with a "-" sign.
  • Arrows show the continuous flow of current from the positive terminal to the negative terminal. This is conventional direction, although actual electron flow is opposite.
• Capacitor:
  • Two layers of conducting material (plates) separated by an insulator.
  • Insulating layer prevents charge flow between plates.
  • Plates have large surface area for storing charge.
  • Plates are thin and often rolled into a cylinder.
  • Terminals extend outside the capacitor casing, enabling connection.
  • Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to hold charge.
• Capacitor Charging/Discharging (Figure 3.5a & 3.5b):
  • Diagrams illustrating the flow of charge through a capacitor circuit.
  • Arrows indicate the direction of current flow.
  • The charge cannot directly pass through the insulating layer between the capacitor plates.
• Demonstration:
  • Experiments to demonstrate capacitor charging/discharging times.
  • Different bulb types (round vs long) used to measure time. Resistance is related to bulb type; longer filaments = higher resistance hence longer charging time.
• The Genecon:
  • A device that stores energy for electricity when cranked (not from a power source).
  • The energy comes directly from the cranking/energy source (body/person cranking)—not the Genecon itself.
• Air Capacitor:
  • Demonstrates charge buildup, related but not exactly like a typical electric capacitor.
  • Air resistance influences capacitor function; the balloon in this case relates to air moving around the air capacitor.
• Energy:
  • Defined as an invisible entity stored in matter.
  • Matter gains the ability to make change when it stores energy.
  • Energy transfer can be between multiple energy sources and receivers (e.g., battery to bulbs to heat/light).
  • Energy is conserved during the transfer processes.
• Benjamin Franklin:
  • Benjamin Franklin made conclusions about electricity before the American Revolution.
  • He introduced (+) and (-) symbols for electric charge, though not in the modern context.