Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a short circuit?
What is a short circuit?
A short circuit occurs when a load is bypassed by a conductor, allowing more current to flow through the circuit.
Why are parallel circuits usually superior to series circuits?
Why are parallel circuits usually superior to series circuits?
If one path has a break or gap, the circuit will remain closed and current can flow.
Capacitive reactance is measured in _____________.
Capacitive reactance is measured in _____________.
ohms
Current will flow only if it can follow a(n) __________ circuit.
Current will flow only if it can follow a(n) __________ circuit.
What is the common term for electrical potential difference or electromotive force?
What is the common term for electrical potential difference or electromotive force?
A circuit with only one path is a(n) ________ circuit.
A circuit with only one path is a(n) ________ circuit.
What is the equation for frequency?
What is the equation for frequency?
Why is copper used as a conductor more frequently than is silver or aluminum?
Why is copper used as a conductor more frequently than is silver or aluminum?
What does an ammeter do?
What does an ammeter do?
Does a battery supply AC or DC current?
Does a battery supply AC or DC current?
When a P-type semiconductor is joined to an N-type semiconductor, the result is a(n) ___________.
When a P-type semiconductor is joined to an N-type semiconductor, the result is a(n) ___________.
Resistance can be measured using a device called a(n) ___________.
Resistance can be measured using a device called a(n) ___________.
What is the symbol for a fixed resistor?
What is the symbol for a fixed resistor?
What is the three major parts of a transistor?
What is the three major parts of a transistor?
What is the solid-state device that has revolutionized the construction of electronic devices?
What is the solid-state device that has revolutionized the construction of electronic devices?
How can the magnetic field formed by a current-carrying wire be strengthened?
How can the magnetic field formed by a current-carrying wire be strengthened?
If multiple loads are connected in a series circuit, how is the overall resistance of the circuit calculated?
If multiple loads are connected in a series circuit, how is the overall resistance of the circuit calculated?
What are the two types of transistor?
What are the two types of transistor?
What is the formula for electrical power?
What is the formula for electrical power?
What is the formula for Ohm's law?
What is the formula for Ohm's law?
The conversion of AC to DC is called _____________.
The conversion of AC to DC is called _____________.
If an element's atoms have valence shells that are exactly half full of electrons, that element is a(n) ___________.
If an element's atoms have valence shells that are exactly half full of electrons, that element is a(n) ___________.
What does an electrical ground do?
What does an electrical ground do?
What is voltage?
What is voltage?
A(n) ___________ is a thin wire that melts when current exceeds a certain amount.
A(n) ___________ is a thin wire that melts when current exceeds a certain amount.
Resistance is measured in __________.
Resistance is measured in __________.
A(n) ___________ is used to increase or decrease voltage in a circuit.
A(n) ___________ is used to increase or decrease voltage in a circuit.
What do DC and AC stand for?
What do DC and AC stand for?
What is the difference between direct current and alternating current?
What is the difference between direct current and alternating current?
If multiple loads are connected in a parallel circuit, how is the overall resistance of the circuit calculated?
If multiple loads are connected in a parallel circuit, how is the overall resistance of the circuit calculated?
What metal is most used as a conductor in household electrical systems?
What metal is most used as a conductor in household electrical systems?
In North America, AC is delivered at ___________ Hz.
In North America, AC is delivered at ___________ Hz.
What is the basic unit of charge?
What is the basic unit of charge?
Electrical current flowing through a conductor produces a(n) __________ field.
Electrical current flowing through a conductor produces a(n) __________ field.
In a series circuit, does the current vary, alternate, or remain the same throughout the circuit?
In a series circuit, does the current vary, alternate, or remain the same throughout the circuit?
Current and resistance are directly/inversely proportional.
Current and resistance are directly/inversely proportional.
If the resistance provided by a load were to decrease, what would happen to the current in that circuit?
If the resistance provided by a load were to decrease, what would happen to the current in that circuit?
Poor conductors have _____________ resistance than good conductors.
Poor conductors have _____________ resistance than good conductors.
A(n) ___________ is constructed of two metal plates and used to store electricity.
A(n) ___________ is constructed of two metal plates and used to store electricity.
A(n) __________ resists changes in current flow by applying a voltage that runs against increased current.
A(n) __________ resists changes in current flow by applying a voltage that runs against increased current.
What happens in an AC current delivered at 20 Hz?
What happens in an AC current delivered at 20 Hz?
Study Notes
Short Circuits
- Occur when a load is bypassed, allowing excessive current flow.
Circuit Types
- Parallel circuits maintain current flow even when one path is broken.
- Series circuits have a single path; if broken, entire circuit fails.
- Overall resistance in series is the sum of individual resistances.
- In parallel circuits, overall resistance is calculated by adding the inverses of individual resistances.
Electrical Components
- Capacitive reactance is measured in ohms.
- A closed circuit allows current to flow, while an open circuit does not.
- Voltage is the term for electrical potential difference.
- Ammeters measure electrical current, while ohmmeters measure resistance.
- Fuses melt to prevent excessive current flow; circuit breakers can be reset.
- A capacitor consists of two metal plates used for storing electricity.
Transistors and Semiconductors
- The transistor has three parts: collector, emitter, and base.
- Joining P-type and N-type semiconductors forms a diode.
- N-type material results from doping silicon with a five-electron element.
- The process of adding impurities to improve semiconductor functionality is known as doping.
Electrical Principles
- The formula for frequency is f = 1/T (f = frequency in Hz, T = time for one cycle).
- Electrical power is calculated using P = IV (power = current x voltage).
- Ohm's Law states V = IR (voltage = current x resistance).
- Conventional current is the hypothetical flow of positive charge opposite electron flow.
Current Types
- Direct current (DC) flows in one direction; alternating current (AC) changes direction multiple times per second.
- In North America, AC is delivered at 60 Hz.
Magnetic and Electric Relationships
- An electrical ground provides a low-resistance path to route excess electrical energy safely.
- Increasing the frequency of AC voltage is observed through a complete cycle per second.
- Current passing through a wire coiled around ferrous material creates an electromagnet.
Load and Conductivity
- A load is resistance converting electrical energy to another form of energy.
- Good conductors have lower resistance, while poor conductors have higher resistance.
- Copper is the most commonly used conductor due to its low cost and resistance properties.
Safety Features
- Circuit breakers can be reset after tripping; fuses need replacing.
- Loads are typically wired in parallel with fuses wired in series for safety.
Additional Concepts
- The basic unit of electrical charge is the coulomb (C).
- Inductance is measured in Henries.
- The electric pressure exerted by a significant negative charge defines voltage.
- Insulators have more than half-filled valence shells; conductors have less than half.
- Electrical current flows in amperes.
- A potentiometer adjusts voltage, whereas a rheostat varies current.
Symbols
- Familiar symbols include:
- Fixed resistor
- Inductor
- Capacitor
- Diode
- AC and DC supplies
- Ammeter
- Transformer
Key Relationships
- Voltage and current are directly proportional; current and resistance are inversely proportional.
- Lowering resistance in a circuit increases current flow.
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Description
Test your knowledge of basic electronics concepts with these flashcards. From short circuits to the advantages of parallel circuits, this quiz covers essential terms and definitions that are crucial for understanding electrical systems.
