Electricity Notes PDF

Electricity Notes - ***Series circuit:*** continuous flow through the entire circuit with only one path for the current to flow. - The components are connected end-to-end in a line. - If one component breaks, the entire circuit will stop working.  - ***Parallel circuit:*** ci...

Electricity Notes - ***Series circuit:*** continuous flow through the entire circuit with only one path for the current to flow. - The components are connected end-to-end in a line. - If one component breaks, the entire circuit will stop working.  - ***Parallel circuit:*** circuit where all components are connected across each other's leads - There are many paths for current flow, but only one voltage across all components. - A single failure in one component does not affect the rest of the circuit. - The total current in a parallel circuit is the sum of the individual branch currents.  - The current flow splits among the components. - The same voltage is applied to each component in a parallel circuit. Difference between Series and Parallel Circuit - Comparison - DC = Direct current -- path is only one way - AC = Alternating current -- path can change *Labels used in calculating/using electricity* **[Symbol]** **[Label]** **[Symbol for label]** ------------------ -------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------------ ***Voltage*** V Volts V ***Resistance*** R Ohms Ω ***Current*** I Ampere (Amps) A **Total Resistance:** the sum of all individual resistances in an electrical circuit - ***Series circuit:*** the sum of all individual resistances in the circuit - R~T~ = R~1~ + R~2~ + R~3~ +... - ***Parallel circuit:*** the total resistance of a parallel circuit is NOT equal to the sum of the resistors (like in a series circuit) - The total resistance in a parallel circuit is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of all the resistances connected in parallel. - The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always less than the smallest resistance of any of the individual resistors.  - 1/R~T~ = 1/R~1~ + 1/R~2~ + 1/R~3~ + \...  **Voltage Drop:** the decrease in voltage that occurs in an electrical circuit due to the resistance of the wires carrying the current.  - ***Series circuit:*** measure using a multimeter. Each voltage drop across each resistor should add up to the total voltage at the batteries. - V~T~ = V~1~ + V~2~ + V~3~ +... - ***Parallel circuit:*** the voltage never changes across the circuit. The voltage will be the same at each resistor and what is at the battery. - V~T~ = V~1~ = V~2~ = V~3~ =... **Current:** a continuous flow of electric charge moving from one place to another along a pathway - ***Series circuit:*** the same amount of current flows through all the components placed in it. - I~T~ = I~1~ = I~2~ = I~3~ =... - ***Parallel circuit:*** the current flowing from the source will be divided into the current flowing through each of these components. (splits the current flow) - I~T~ = I~1~ + I~2~ + I~3~ +... **Ohm's Law:** a law stating that electric current is proportional to voltage and [inversely](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d9880e105989b578&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1115US1115&biw=1368&bih=743&sxsrf=ADLYWIJkYttUhYM5FKIFvOxHRD9DOGkMYA:1728960570559&q=inversely&si=ACC90nxMSPeZfdJJjQgDsdZJuFuJx2cUz6dFMzOcHy0oayg4mNZfppEYrXWVijqOoooCBs-CNYSW4dH27eNa3y90WLqQrJxcuTM5HgerNZ9-c7UfBDjy7x4%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjl742FsI-JAxUSmokEHYLeDYsQyecJegQISBAO) proportional to resistance. - **Equation:** V = IR or I = V/R