Physics: Static Electricity and Circuits

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Questions and Answers

What happens when a plastic rod is rubbed with a woolen cloth and then brought near tiny bits of paper or polystyrene?

It has no effect on the bits of paper.

It causes the bits of paper to combust.

It repels the bits of paper.

It attracts the bits of paper. (correct)

Which of the following materials is considered an insulator?

Gold

Rubber (correct)

Iron

Copper

Which component is NOT essential for an electric circuit to function?

Conductor

Power supply

Insulator (correct)

Load

What does resistance in an electrical circuit do?

Opposes the flow of electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a load in an electric circuit?

To convert electrical energy into other useful forms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes voltage?

The potential difference in a circuit. Signup and view all the answers

When testing materials for conductivity, which statement is true?

Conductors allow electricity to flow while insulators stop it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of a power supply in an electric circuit?

To provide the electrical energy needed for operation. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when two materials are rubbed together to create static electricity?

Electrons are moved from one material to another. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes static electricity?

A build-up of charge in an object that remains at rest. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the charge of a balloon when it is rubbed with wool?

The balloon acquires more electrons than it originally had. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding a neutral atom?

It has equal numbers of protons and electrons. Signup and view all the answers

When an object is said to be negatively charged, what does this imply?

It has more electrons than protons. Signup and view all the answers

What sub-atomic particle is negatively charged and can move between materials?

Electron Signup and view all the answers

What results from an object losing electrons?

It becomes positively charged. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of protons?

They can move freely within the atom. Signup and view all the answers

What will happen to the brightness of lamps in a parallel circuit if one lamp burns out?

Only the burnt lamp will go out and the others remain bright. Signup and view all the answers

How does the brightness of lamps in a parallel circuit compare to that in a series circuit?

Lamps in a parallel circuit have brighter intensity. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the current flowing through lamp A compared to lamp C in a parallel circuit?

Current through A and C is the same. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of bulbs in a parallel circuit regarding their brightness?

They have the same brightness as one another. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a short circuit?

It allows current to flow through a path with very little resistance. Signup and view all the answers

If the filament in bulb B burns out in a parallel circuit, what impact does it have on the whole circuit?

The entire circuit remains functional. Signup and view all the answers

Why can parallel circuits maintain brightness when one bulb goes out?

The current is divided among the remaining bulbs. Signup and view all the answers

In a parallel circuit with three identical bulbs, what effect does the configuration have on the total circuit resistance?

The total resistance decreases with additional bulbs. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the current in a series circuit when more loads are added?

It decreases. Signup and view all the answers

How is voltage measured in a circuit?

By voltmeter set up in parallel. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between current and voltage in a parallel circuit?

Voltage remains constant while current varies. Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the voltage drops in a series circuit?

The sum of voltage drops equals the supply voltage. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to light bulbs in a series circuit as more bulbs are added?

They glow dimmer. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes how current behaves in parallel circuits?

Current splits among branches with a consistent sum. Signup and view all the answers

When a switch is closed in a circuit, what is the effect on current flow?

Current flow increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of a short circuit?

Component overheating or fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an ammeter in an electric circuit?

To measure current flowing through a circuit Signup and view all the answers

How should a voltmeter be connected to measure voltage across a component?

In parallel with the component Signup and view all the answers

What unit is used to measure voltage?

Volts (V) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a systematic error in measurements?

Scale not on zero when not connected Signup and view all the answers

When conducting multiple measurements to reduce random errors, what is the best practice?

Use an average of all measurements Signup and view all the answers

According to Ohm’s Law, what happens to current when voltage increases in an ohmic conductor?

Current increases Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence for measuring voltage with a voltmeter?

Connect across the load in parallel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an ohmic conductor?

Resistance remains constant with changing voltage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Static Electricity

Static electricity is a build-up of charge in an object that remains at rest.
Protons are positively charged subatomic particles that cannot easily move.
Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that can move from one substance to another.
A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons.
A substance is positively charged if it has fewer electrons than protons.
A substance is negatively charged if it has more electrons than protons.
Rubbing materials together does not create electric charges, it transfers electrons from one material to the other.

Electrical Energy: Circuits

Electrical circuits consist of a power supply, a load, and conductors to allow electricity to flow.
Loads are components which convert electrical energy into other forms of energy, such as light globes.
Conductors allow electrons to flow easily, such as metals like gold and iron.
Insulators do not allow electrons to flow easily, such as rubber, wood, plastic, and glass.

Electric Circuit Basics: Series Circuits

In a series circuit, components are connected one after another.
The current is the same throughout the circuit.
The sum of the voltage drops across each load equals the voltage of the power supply.
When a load in a series circuit is removed or breaks, the circuit is broken and all components stop working.
As more loads are added to a series circuit, the brightness of the globes decreases.

Electric Circuit Basics: Parallel Circuits

In a parallel circuit, components are connected on different branches.
The sum of the current flowing through each branch equals the overall current of the circuit.
Voltage is consistent across each load.
If one load in a parallel circuit is removed or breaks, the other loads will continue to work.

Electrical Energy: Voltage, Current, and Resistance

Voltage is a measure of the potential difference between two points in a circuit, which represents the amount of energy that charges (electrons) have.
Current is the rate of flow of charges (electrons) through a circuit.
Resistance opposes the flow of current and the higher the resistance, the lower the current flow.
An ammeter is used to measure current in amps or milliamps.
A voltmeter is used to measure the voltage (potential difference) in volts.

Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s Law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across its ends.
An Ohmic conductor is a conductor that obeys Ohm’s Law.
The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance is given by: Voltage = Current x Resistance
The current through an Ohmic conductor is constant regardless of voltage.

Series and Parallel Circuits

In a series circuit, components are connected one after another.
In a parallel circuit, components are connected on different branches.
The current is the same through all components in a series circuit.
The voltage is the same across all components in a parallel circuit.

Ammeters and Voltmeters

An ammeter is used to measure current. It must be connected in series with the circuit.
A voltmeter is used to measure voltage. It must be connected in parallel with the circuit.

Errors in Measurement

Random errors occur when estimations are made in reading measurement scales.
Systematic errors occur due to incorrect use of equipment or limitations of the equipment.
Random errors can be reduced by repeating measurements and averaging the results.
Systematic errors can be reduced by using the equipment correctly and calibrating it.

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Description

Test your understanding of static electricity and electrical circuits with this quiz. Explore concepts such as charge transfer, components of electrical circuits, and the role of conductors and insulators. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their knowledge of basic physics principles.