Questions and Answers
What is the path along which electrons can flow called?
A wire must be connected with an electrical potential difference for current to flow.
True
Electrons flow from the ___ along the conductor, through the ___ of the bulb, to the ___.
negative terminal, filament, positive terminal
What happens when there is a break in an electric circuit?
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Gaps in the current indicate a closed circuit.
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In a closed circuit, no gaps exist, allowing current to flow.
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What is a single path for electrons to flow between terminals of a voltage source called?
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What is an example of a circuit in series?
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What type of circuit do all lights go out if one breaks?
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What are the characteristics of circuits in series?
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What is a circuit in parallel?
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What are the characteristics of circuits in parallel?
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What are the formulas for total resistance in circuits?
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What do schematic diagrams describe?
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In schematic diagrams, what do the long and short lines represent?
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What must be done first when working with compound circuits?
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What are circuit breakers used for?
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Circuit breakers are connected in series.
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What is a short circuit?
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What typically causes short circuits?
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What causes an overload in a circuit?
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How are circuits connected in most houses?
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In parallel circuits, what is the same across each device?
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What type of circuit has more voltage across each resistor compared to the other type?
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In parallel circuits, total current is divided among the ___ .
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Current passes through a higher resistor more readily.
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Circuits in parallel have more voltage across resistors than circuits in series.
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As the number of parallel branches increases, what happens to the overall resistance of the circuit?
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In a series circuit, the total voltage drop across a series of resistors is the sum of what?
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When resistors are arranged in parallel, what is their overall resistance compared to the smallest resistor?
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Where are circuit breakers usually inserted?
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When bulbs are connected in series, how much current flows through each one?
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When one bulb in a series containing several bulbs burns out, what happens to the others?
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When one bulb in parallel containing several bulbs burns out, what happens to the others?
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When resistors are put in series, what is their overall resistance?
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When resistors are put in parallel with each other, what is their overall resistance?
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Study Notes
Electric Circuits Overview
- A circuit is a path allowing electrons to flow.
- Current requires a wire connected with an electrical potential difference to flow.
Electron Flow Mechanics
- Electrons flow from the negative terminal, through the filament of the bulb, to the positive terminal.
Circuit Breaks and Types
- A break in an electric circuit results in a complete stop of electricity flow.
- Open circuits indicate gaps in the current, leading to no flow.
- Closed circuits have no gaps, allowing current to flow freely.
Series Circuit Features
- A series circuit allows electrons to flow through a single path connecting terminals of a voltage source.
- Example: Christmas lights illustrate series circuits, as all lights go out if one bulb breaks.
- Key characteristics include:
- All devices receive the same current.
- Total resistance is the sum of all resistors along the path.
- According to Ohm's Law, current equals voltage divided by total resistance.
- Voltage divides across the number of resistors.
Parallel Circuit Features
- A parallel circuit connects devices to the same two circuit points, allowing independent completion of the circuit.
- Characteristics:
- Multiple alternate paths for electron flow.
- The current in one device does not affect others.
- A break in one path does not interrupt flow in other paths.
Resistance and Schematic Representation
- Formulas for total resistance:
- Series: Total R = sum of all resistors.
- Parallel: Total R = 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2.
- Schematic diagrams utilize special symbols to represent different devices and connections.
- Lines in schematic diagrams indicate:
- Long lines represent positive connections.
- Short lines represent negative connections.
Circuit Components and Safety
- Circuit breakers protect against overloads and potential fires, and they are connected in parallel.
- A short circuit occurs when the positive wire contacts the negative wire, often due to faulty insulation.
- An overload results from excessive current flow.
Household Circuits
- In most homes, circuits are wired so if one light goes out, others stay on due to continuous current flow.
- In parallel circuits, the voltage remains the same across each device, leading to a greater voltage across resistors than in series circuits.
Current and Resistance Dynamics
- In parallel circuits, total current divides among the parallel branches.
- Current passes more readily through lower resistors.
- Parallel circuits exhibit greater voltage across resistors and higher current levels than series circuits.
- As more parallel branches are added, overall resistance of the circuit decreases.
Resistor Characteristics
- Total voltage drop across a series of resistors equals the sum of voltage drops across each individual resistor.
- In a series configuration, overall resistance is greater than any individual resistor.
- In parallel arrangements, overall resistance is smaller than that of the smallest resistor.
Bulbs in Series and Parallel
- In a series circuit with multiple bulbs, the same amount of current flows through each bulb.
- If one bulb in series burns out, all bulbs extinguish.
- If one bulb in parallel burns out, the others remain lit.
Summary of Resistance Types
- Resistors in series increase overall resistance, while resistors in parallel decrease it.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of electric circuits, including circuit types and electron flow mechanics. Learn about the differences between series and closed circuits, as well as the effect of breaks in circuits on electricity flow.
