Electrical Theory
What is electricity made of?
Tangible objects (electrons) moving from one place to another.
What is the simplest type of circuit with only one path for current?
Series Circuit.
What is the formula for Ohm’s Law?
V = A × R.
What is the unit of electrical pressure?
Volt
What is the effect of resistance on current flow?
It slows down current flow.
What material has fewer than 4 electrons in the valence shell?
Conductor.
What happens to current flow if one branch of a parallel circuit fails?
Current continues flowing in the remaining branches.
If a circuit has 12 volts and 4 ohms resistance, what is the amperage?
3 amps
What tool measures current flow in a circuit?
Ammeter
Name an effect of electricity that creates light in automotive systems.
Light-emitting diode (LED).
What is the main role of insulators in electrical systems?
To prevent current flow by tightly binding electrons to the nucleus.
In a series circuit, how is total resistance calculated?
By summing all individual resistances.
What is the relationship between voltage, current, and power in Watt’s Law?
P = V × A.
What type of crystal generates electricity under mechanical stress?
Piezoelectric crystal.
What happens to current when resistance decreases in a circuit?
Current increases.
What material can switch between being a conductor and an insulator?
Semiconductor.
What law states that the sum of currents entering a junction equals the sum leaving it?
Kirchhoff’s Current Law.
What happens to resistance if more branches are added to a parallel circuit?
Resistance decreases
What is the function of a resistor in a circuit?
To extract energy and limit current flow.
How is alternating current (AC) generated in automotive systems?
By electromagnetic induction in alternators.
What happens when a positive ion is near a negative ion?
Electrons can move from atom to atom, creating current flow.
What type of circuit combines series and parallel elements?
Series-parallel circuit.
If a load uses 10 amps at 12 volts, how many watts of power are consumed?
120 watts
What material is most commonly used in automotive conductors?
Copper
What principle allows solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity?
Photovoltaic effect.