Conceptual Physics Ch 22 Electric Current

light bulb symbol

The symbol used in a circuit diagram to show a light bulb.

ampere

The unit for current.

Ohm

The unit for resistance.

battery symbol

The universal symbol in a circuit diagram that represents a battery.

resistor symbol

The universal symbol in a circuit diagram that represents a resistor.

switch symbol

The universal symbol in a circuit diagram that represents an on/off switch.

Resistance

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

Ampere

the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

Potential Difference

the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts

Heater

this converts electrical energy to heat energy

Resistor

an electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current

Light

(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

Energy

(physics) the capacity of a physical system to do work

Power

(physics) the rate of doing work

closed circuit

A complete electrical circuit around which current flows or a signal circulates.

Open Circuit

an incomplete electrical circuit in which no current flows

schematic diagram.

A diagram which shows an electrical circuit and devices are represented by symbols.

Voltmeter

A meter connected in parallel to a circuit to measure the voltage of a resistor or battery.

Ammeter

A meter connected in series to a circuit to measure the current at that point in the circuit.

open circuit

An incomplete circuit through which electricity will not flow due to a break in the pathway of electrons.

Conventional Current

Current that flows from the positive side of the battery to the negative side. This is the way current is drawn in circuit diagrams, even though it is wrong.

series circuit

Resistors and connected so that the current follows a single pathway between the terminals of the battery.

parallel circuit

Resistors in the circuit form branches each of which is a separate pathway for the current between terminals of the battery.

Electric Current

The amount of charge that travels past a fixed point in an electric circuit each second., a flow of electricity through a conductor

resistor parallel equation

The equation used to find the total resistance of resistors in parallel.

resistor series equation

The equation used to find the total resistance of resistors in series.

Ohm's Law

V=IR

Lamp

an artificial source of visible illumination

Electric Circuit

an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

Solar Cell

a cell that converts solar energy into electrical energy

Closed Circuit

a complete electrical circuit around which current flows or a signal circulates

Series Connection

a connection with only one current path

Battery

a device that produces electricity

Schematic Diagram

a graphical representation of a circuit that uses lines to represent wires and different symbols to represent components

Superconductor

a material that has almost zero resistance when it is cooled to low temperatures

Potentiometer

a resistor with three terminals, the third being an adjustable center terminal

Parallel Connection

a type of connection in which the circuit component and the voltmeter are aligned parallel to one another in the circuit, the potential difference across the voltmeter equals the potential difference across the circuit element, and there are two or more current paths to follow

Joule

a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second

Ohm

a unit of electrical resistance equal to the resistance between two points on a conductor when a potential difference of one volt between them produces a current of one ampere

Kilowatt-hour

a unit of energy equal to the work done by a power of 1000 watts operating for one hour

Volt

a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt

Charge

energize a battery by passing a current through it in the direction opposite to discharge

Generator

engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

Positive Charge

having a deficiency of electrons

Negative Charge

having a surplus of electrons

Charge Pump

increases potential energy of charges flowing from A to B

Motor

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion