Electricity Unit Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a conductor?

A material that does not conduct electricity

An instrument that measures voltage

A device that conducts heat, electricity, or sound (correct)

A unit of electrical resistance

What is an insulator?

A substance or device that does not readily conduct electricity.

What is the purpose of a resistor?

A device having a designed resistance to the passage of an electric current.

What does voltage represent?

An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts. Signup and view all the answers

What is current in terms of electricity?

A flow of electricity resulting from the movement of charged particles. Signup and view all the answers

How is resistance defined?

The opposition to the passage of electric current, measured in ohms. Signup and view all the answers

What is electrical power?

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. Signup and view all the answers

Define conventional current.

Current defined as moving in the same direction as positive charge flow. Signup and view all the answers

What is electron flow?

The movement of electrons through a conductor. Signup and view all the answers

What is a parallel circuit?

A circuit where the current divides into two or more paths. Signup and view all the answers

What is a series circuit?

A circuit where the current follows one path. Signup and view all the answers

Define a closed circuit.

A complete electrical connection in which current flows. Signup and view all the answers

What is an open circuit?

An electrical circuit that is not complete. Signup and view all the answers

What is AC?

Current that changes direction periodically Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by load in electrical terms?

The amount of power supplied by a source or the resistance in the circuit. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fuse?

A safety device that breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level. Signup and view all the answers

What is a circuit breaker?

An automatic device for stopping the flow of current in an electric circuit. Signup and view all the answers

Define volts.

The SI unit of electromotive force, or electric potential. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ampere?

The SI unit of electric current. Signup and view all the answers

What are ohms?

The units of measurement for electrical resistance. Signup and view all the answers

What are watts?

The SI unit of power, equivalent to one joule per second. Signup and view all the answers

What is a voltmeter?

An instrument for measuring electric potential in volts. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ammeter?

An instrument for measuring electric current in amperes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electrical Terminology

Conductor: Material that effectively transmits heat, electricity, or sound; key for efficient electrical systems.
Insulator: Substance that restricts electrical conductivity; vital for preventing unwanted current flow.
Resistor: Device designed to provide a specific resistance to electric current; crucial in controlling current flow.
Voltage: Measured in volts; represents electromotive force or potential difference in a circuit.
Current: Flow of electricity measured in amperes; results from the movement of charged particles in a circuit.
Resistance: Measured in ohms; defined by Ohm's Law (V = IR), and opposes electric current flow.
Electrical Power: Rate at which electrical energy is transferred, expressed in watts (1 watt = 1 joule/second).

Current Types

Conventional Current: Defined as the flow of electric charge that moves in the direction of positive charge flow; important for circuit analysis.
Electron Flow: How electrons move through conductors; involves atoms exchanging electrons, creating a continuous flow.

Circuit Configurations

Parallel Circuit: Configuration where current splits into multiple paths; each path receives full voltage and total current is the sum of the branch currents.
Series Circuit: Current flows through a single path; voltage is divided among loads while current remains consistent throughout.
Closed Circuit: Complete electrical connection allowing current flow; essential for functional devices.
Open Circuit: Incomplete electrical connection; prevents current flow, rendering the circuit inactive.

Current Types

Alternating Current (AC): Electricity that reverses direction periodically; commonly used in household power supply.
Direct Current (DC): Flows in one direction only; typically found in batteries and electronic devices.

Electrical Safety

Load: Represents the amount of power consumed by devices; indicates the electric demands placed on a power source.
Fuse: Safety device designed to break the circuit when current exceeds safe levels; prevents overheating and fires.
Circuit Breaker: Automatic device that interrupts current flow as a safety measure; can be reset after tripping.

Measurement Units

Volts (V): Unit of measure for electric potential; drives current through resistance.
Amperes (A): Unit of electric current; fundamental unit of measurement for electric flow.
Ohms (Ω): Unit measuring electrical resistance; crucial for determining how much current will flow under voltage.
Watts (W): Unit of power reflecting energy conversion in circuits; essential for calculating energy costs.
Voltmeter: Instrument measuring electric potential in volts; used for diagnostics in electrical systems.
Ammeter: Instrument measuring electric current in amperes; valuable for analyzing circuit performance.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms related to electricity with these flashcards. Learn about conductors, insulators, resistors, and voltage to deepen your understanding of electrical concepts. Perfect for students studying electricity fundamentals.