Current Electricity Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of resistance?

Slows down the flow of electricity in a circuit (correct)

Pushes electricity through a circuit

A material that allows the flow of electricity

The rate of flow of electricity through a circuit

What does voltage do?

Slows down the flow of electricity

Pushes electricity through a circuit (correct)

Connects the parts of the circuit together

Turns electricity on and off in a circuit

What is current?

The unit of electrical resistance

A material that resists electrical flow

A measure of electrical potential

The rate of flow of electricity through a circuit (correct)

What is a conductor?

A material that allows the flow of electricity Signup and view all the answers

What is an insulator?

A material that resists electrical flow Signup and view all the answers

What does a schematic diagram represent?

A shorthand way to draw an electrical circuit Signup and view all the answers

An open circuit allows electricity to flow.

False Signup and view all the answers

A closed circuit permits the flow of electricity.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does a battery do?

Pushes electricity through the circuit Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of wires in a circuit?

Connects the parts of the circuit together. Signup and view all the answers

What does a switch do in a circuit?

Can turn the electricity on and off in a circuit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the use of a light bulb in a circuit?

Used to create radiant energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a resistor?

Slows down the flow of electricity in a circuit Signup and view all the answers

What unit is electrical current measured in?

Amperes (A). Signup and view all the answers

What unit is voltage measured in?

Volts (V). Signup and view all the answers

What unit is electrical resistance measured in?

Ohms (Ω). Signup and view all the answers

What symbol represents current in Ohm's formula?

I. Signup and view all the answers

Like charges _; unlike charges _.

repel; attract. Signup and view all the answers

What is electrical force measured in?

Newtons. Signup and view all the answers

What is electric charge measured in?

Coulombs. Signup and view all the answers

What is induction?

Bringing a charged object near another object, rearranging charges. Signup and view all the answers

What is polarization?

Rearrangement of charges inside an object, a + side and a - side. Signup and view all the answers

How were charges transferred in demonstrations like the Van de Graaff?

Primarily by friction and contact, but if a charge built up enough, it could discharge and transfer by induction as well. Signup and view all the answers

Why can a charged balloon stick to the wall?

The negatively charged balloon is attracted to the neutrally charged wall and the electrostatic force between the balloon and wall is greater than the gravitational force acting on the balloon. Signup and view all the answers

What is grounding?

Removing a static charge by providing a path to the ground. Signup and view all the answers

How does an electroscope work?

It detects electric charges and is made of metal to allow electrons to move freely. It uses insulators to keep the metal parts from the ground. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when the leaves of an electroscope diverge?

The leaves have the same charge and repel each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is an electric field?

An electric field is said to exist in a region of space in which an electric charge will experience an electric force. Signup and view all the answers

Electric field lines flow _ positive charges and _ negative charges.

out of; into. Signup and view all the answers

Coulomb's law states that two charges exert a _ on one another that is _ proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and ___ proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

force; directly; inversely. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electric force between two charged particles when the charge of one of the particles doubles?

The force doubles. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electric force if both charges are doubled?

The force is quadrupled. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electric force when the distance between two charged particles doubles?

The force is reduced by ¼ (inverse square law). Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electric force when the distance is cut in half?

The force is quadrupled (inverse square law). Signup and view all the answers

What is electrical current made of?

Electrons. Signup and view all the answers

Ohm's law states, 'For a given resistor at a particular temperature, the current is ___ proportional to the applied voltage.'

directly. Signup and view all the answers

According to Ohm's law, resistance and current are ___ proportional.

inversely. Signup and view all the answers

According to Ohm's law, voltage and current are ___ proportional.

directly. Signup and view all the answers

If the voltage is constant, as resistance increases, what happens to the current?

Decreases. Signup and view all the answers

If the voltage is constant, as resistance decreases, what happens to the current?

Increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is an electric circuit?

A system through which an electric current can travel. Signup and view all the answers

What is needed to make a simple electric circuit?

A voltage source, a conductor (conducting wires), and a load (light, heater, etc.). Signup and view all the answers

What does the resistance in a wire depend on?

Thickness, length, and conductivity or material it is made from. Signup and view all the answers

What determines electrical power?

Power is determined by the voltage and the current, following Ohm's law. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of Current Electricity

Resistance: Opposes and slows down electric current flow in a circuit.
Voltage: The driving force that pushes electric current through a circuit.
Current: Measured in amperes (A), it indicates the rate of flow of electricity.

Circuit Components

Conductor: Materials, such as metals, that facilitate the flow of electric current.
Insulator: Materials that restrict or prevent electric current flow, e.g., rubber or glass.
Battery: Supplies voltage to push current through a circuit.
Wires: Connect circuit components, allowing current to travel between elements.
Switch: Controls the flow of electricity by opening (off) or closing (on) a circuit.
Light Bulb: Converts electrical energy into radiant energy (light).

Circuit Types

Open Circuit: Contains a break where current cannot flow.
Closed Circuit: Completed loop, allowing electricity to flow continuously.

Measurement Units

Amperes (A): Unit for measuring electrical current.
Volts (V): Unit for measuring electrical potential or voltage.
Ohms (Ω): Unit for measuring electrical resistance.

Electrical Principles

Ohm's Law: Defines the relationship where current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance.
Electric Charge: Measured in coulombs; represents the quantity of electricity.
Induction: Charge transfer occurs by bringing a charged object close to another, rearranging surface charges.
Polarization: Internal charge rearrangement creating positive and negative sides within an object.

Charge Interactions

Like charges repel each other, while unlike charges attract.
An electric field influences the behavior of charges in its vicinity, with lines indicating direction from positive to negative charges.

Coulomb’s Law

States that electric charges exert forces directly proportional to their product and inversely proportional to the distance squared between them.

Observations and Concepts

An electroscope detects electric charges and operates using a metal framework insulated from the ground.
Grounding involves creating a pathway for excess charge to dissipate into the earth.
Electric force changes when either the charge or distance between two charged particles is altered.

Factors Influencing Resistance

Resistance in a wire depends on its thickness, length, and the material's conductivity.

Power in Electrical Circuits

Electrical power is a product of voltage and current, inversely tied to resistance according to Ohm’s Law.

Essential Elements for Circuit Construction

A simple electric circuit requires a voltage source, connecting wires, and an electrical load.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts of current electricity with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions for essential terms like resistance, voltage, current, conductor, and insulator. Perfect for students preparing for exams on electrical circuits.