Physics test thingy

What is a fuse and how does it act like a switch?

A fuse is a electrical safety device to stop to much current in an electrical circuit. When to much current is present the fuse melts and switches off electrical current.

What is the difference between a motor and a generator?

A generator outputs energy and a motor takes in and uses energy. Motors convert electrical energy into mechanical and generators covert mechanical to electrical.

What is GFCI plug and why do homes/buildings codes require GFCI plugs and where are they required in a home.

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)They are required when they are within 6 feet of a water source to protect people from getting shocked(kitchens, bathroom...) it is a device or outlet that protects against electrical shocks from water sources.

What are 3 safety features in a home to prevent electrical fires?

Grounding, circuit breakers, proper home wiring.

How are transformers used inside your house; when you travel to the Europe/UK; when you receive power from your local power generator facility?

Transformers reduce the voltage to a safer level inside your house for electronic devices; transformers convert 240v to 120v for the use in personal appliances in the Europe/UK; Transformers reduce the voltage to a safer level inside your house.

What is a short circuit and why is it dangerous?

When resistance is very low in a circuit, causing current to be high; it is dangerous because it could shock you, kill you start a fire or overload an electrical device.

What is Ac current and where is it used?

You use it when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans and electric lamps into a wall sock. AC reverses direction. More common.

What are five characteristics of a series circuit?

1. The total resistance of any series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. 2.The amount of current is the same through any component in a series circuit. 3. The voltage drops in every resistor. 4. If you break one part of it the whole circuit stops. 5. Its easier to build.

What are 5 characteristics of a parallel circuit?

1. Voltage is equal across all parallel circuits 2. A parallel circuit has two or more paths of current flow 3. If one part breaks the whole thing doesn't stop working. 4. Each resisters resistance decreases to equal a smaller total resistance rather then add to make a total. 5. Current drops after each new path.

How does photovoltaic cell create electrical energy?

By absorbing sunlight and transforming light energy into electrical current.

What is DC current and where is it used?

DC does not alternate back and forth like AC. It is used in most electronic devices and battery driven devices. (car, computer, phone...)

What are factors that affect the resistivity of a wire and how does each factor change the resistivity of the wire?

Diameter of the wire because larger diameter wires carry more current. The temperature of the wire because the lower the temperature the lower the resistance. The length of the wire because the longer the wire the more resistance the wire has.

How does electrical resistance compare to friction?

Electrical resistance causes electrical energy to be lost as heat, friction causes mechanical energy to be lost as heat.

What are the advantages of incandescent light; CFL lights; LED bulbs.

Incandescent lights provide softer more bright light and are inexpensive but a lot of the energy is given off of heat instead of light. CFL( compact florescent light)- saves energy, longer life but much more expensive. LED bulb(light emitting diodes)- very efficient, don't generate much heat but they are expensive.

What are the advantages in a series in comparison to a circuit built in parallel? What are the advantages of setting up a circuit in series and what are the advantages of setting up circuit in parallel?

Series advantages-do not overheat easily, simpler to design, all components in a series circuit receives the same amount of current. Parallel advantages- every component gets a equal amount of voltage, a break in one part of the circuit will not effect any other path, its easily add and subtract elements without disrupting everything.

What are the life achievements of Tesla and Thomas Edison?

Tesla- Created AC(alternating current) Power, the first hydro electric power plant at Niagara falls, x-ray imaging. Edison- Created DC(direct current) Power, the first general electric corporation when he used generators to electrify NYC. Invented light bulb that lasted.

What's the purpose of grounding? How is your house grounded, how is a plug grounded and how is a battery grounded?

The purpose of grounding is to take access charge and bring it to the ground instead of you or other things.

What is the energy transfer for a hair dryer and a blender?

They are both examples of transforming one type of energy into another. A blender turns electrical energy into magnetic energy to run the electric motor. A Hair dryer does the same as the blender for the fan motor but also transforms electrical energy into heat energy to dry your hair.