Circuits Quiz 1

pico, nano, micro, milli, kilo, mega, giga

10^-12, 10^-9, 10^-6, 10^-3, 10^3, 10^6, 10^9

Short Circuit

A branch in a circuit with zero or very low resistance. The amount of current that flows through would be infinite, which would cause things to heat up/explode.

Voltage (V)

A build up in charge between two locations which causes charged particles to move between them. Measured in volts (V)

Independent Loop

A loop is independent if it has at least one branch that is not shared by any other loops.

Alternative Current (AC)

A special category of varying current that varies sinusoidally.

Dependent Sources

A voltage or current source whose output is controlled by an input. Typically some multiple of a voltage or current elsewhere in the circuit. Represented on a diagram with diamonds.

Open Circuit

An incomplete electrical circuit through which no current flows. Regardless of voltage, there would be no current. Resistance is infinite.

Loops

Closed paths in a circuit.

Circuit

Collection and interconnection of electrical elements through which an electric current travels along.

Nodes

Connect elements or branches to each other. Includes everything between elements.

Direct Current (DC)

Current that remains constant with respect to time.

Parallel

Elements are in parallel if they are connected to the same two nodes. Parallel elements have the same voltage.

Series

Elements are in series if they share a single node. If there is a node connecting only those two elements, they are in series. Elements in series have the same current.

Active Circuit Elements

Generate energy. Voltage sources, current source, operational amplifier.

Resistance (R)

Given a voltage, resistance limits the flow of current. Measured in Ohms (Omega)

Passive Circuit Elements

Store/dissipate energy. Resistors, capacitors, inductors.

Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

The algebraic sum of all currents entering and exiting a node in a circuit must equal zero.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)

The algebraic sum of all voltages around any closed path must equal zero.

Branches

The elements of a circuit.

Current (I)

The movement of electrical charges past a barrier, measured in amperes (A).

Ohm's Law

V = IR; voltage is the relationship between resistance and current. Only true when current is going from positive to negative terminals.