Electric Current

What are the parts required to make a complete circuit that can be either opened or closed

A circuit needs a battery, a resistor, and wires. A switch makes it possible to open or close the circuit.

an example of electric current.

A quick discharge of static electricity

A battery's container holds

A steel housing contains the battery's contents to form the cathode - a part of the electrochemical reaction.

insulator

A substance that cannot conduct electricity very well. The rubber casing around the speaker wire serves as an insulator for the electrical current.

conductor

Any material through which electricity can flow. A copper wire is a good conductor of electric charge as it flows through the circuit.

What do you observe in the model? This model uses balls to represent electrons flowing through a wire. Drop the balls into the opening so they flow through the tube.

As the ball rolls down the ramp, it pushes the other balls through When the balls pass under the bulb, they slow down, and the light turns on.

Can electrons be used up in a battery? If so, how?

Building static charges occurs when a battery is charged. When the battery reaches full capacity, the electrons reach a dead end and the flow of electrons stops. Electrons are released when a battery is discharged or used. Once all the electrons are used, up the flow of electrons stops.

what happens in a chemical reaction in a battery

Causes electrons to build up at the negative pole. The electrons repel one another, and some of them move into the wire conductor. The electrons move past the resistor— the light bulb—which transforms some of the energy of the moving electrons into heat and light. The electrons continue past the bulb and into the other end of the battery

examples of insulators

Glass, porcelain, rubber, and many plastics

Describe a series and a parallel circuit and how to draw them.

Series circuits only have one path for current to flow. So in the diagram, all the resistors need to be in a line. Parallel circuits have multiple paths. The resistors in the diagram all have new connecting wires going to them and coming out of them.

What do you think will happen to the bulb in the open circuit and why

The bulb will go dark because the circuit is not complete.

What is the difference between the closed circuit and the open circuit?

The closed circuit shows the switch closed, while the open circuit shows the switch opened.

what happens if you turn a switch on

When you flip a light switch to turn on a light, you are completing an electric circuit that allows electrons to flow into the light fixture wired to the switch

parallel circuit

a circuit that is connected in parallel, providing several pathways for electrons to travel

series circuit

a circuit that provides only one path for the free electrons to flow

electric circuit

a continuous looped conducting pathway around which electricity flows

examples of conductors

aluminum silver copper gold

what is a switch

can be used to control the flow of electrons by opening and closing the circuit.

Batteries

create an electric field with chemical reactions.

slowing down of an electrical current is called

electrical resistance

True or false Insulators are used to keep electric current protected and flowing through a circuit.

false

true or false Electrons flow from the positive end of a device to the negative

false

true or false Examples of conductors include metals and some types of rubber.

false

true or false Static charge can be stored in a resistor.

false

true or false a resister stop the flow of electron in a circuit

false

Between the carbon mixture and the inner core of the battery

is a fibrous fabric, which act as a boundary to prevent the cathode from touching the anode.

Inside the carbon and manganese dioxide

is a mixture that carries the positive electrical charges, which are part of the electrochemical reaction.

Deep within the core of the battery

is a solution containing electrolytes that is a medium for the movement of ions within the cell and carries the current inside the battery.

copper wire

is an excellent conductor of electricity

Continuing inward

is the portion of the battery that is called the anode (oxidized). It consists of a powdered zinc and carries the negative electrical charges. This is where the electrochemical reaction takes place.

Metals and electrons

many of the electrons are free to move throughout the metal. This allows them to carry an electric current.

circuit

the complete path that an electric current travels along

When you turn on a light switch,

the electrons quickly push on each other along the wire conductor, starting the flow of electrons through the light bulb and causing it to light almost immediately.

If you add a light bulb to the circuit

the filament in the bulb will resist the flow of electrons and convert energy into light and heat. You will know your circuit is functioning because the bulb will glow.

resistance

the quality of a substance that hinders the flow of electrons through it

true or false A light bulb is an example of a resistor.

true

true or false An example of a resistor is a heat lamp.

true

true or false As electrons are slowed down, some of their energy is converted into heat.

true

true or false Conductors can be thought of as a hose used for water in that they allow the flow of electrons.

true

Finally, a brass pin is placed in the center of the battery

where it forms a negative collector. This enables the battery to conduct electricity to the outside circuit.

what happens if you turn a switch off

you have opened the circuit and interrupted the flow of electrons.