Electric Circuit
What is the definition of an electric circuit?
It's a pathway for the flow of electrons.
What is Voltage?
It is the energy given by the generator to each electron.
Draw a circuit in PARALLEL and a circuit in SERIES
(Answers Vary)
What are resistors used for in electronics?
WE USE RESISTOR IN ELECTRONIC TO CONTROL CURRENT, IN ELECTRICITY TO PRODUCE HEAT
What is the definition of an electric current?
It's a continuous flow of electrons through a circuit
What do conductors do?
They allow electric currents to pass through them
What is an electrical current?
What are the two types of circuits?
Series and Parallel
What is fixed resistance?
Its value doesn't change. It's indicated by a code of colors.
What is a direct current (DC)?
Electrons always move in the same direction with the same intensity. It's the one given by cells and batteries
What do Insulators do?
They don´t allow electric current to pass through them. Ex: wood, glass
What is electrical resistance?
It is a measure of the degree to which the material or element opposes an electrical current flowing through it.
(True/False) - The INTENSITY stays the same across a PARALLEL circuit.
False!
Series Circuit: It = I1 = I2
Parallel Circuit: It = I1 + I2
What is variable resistance or potentiometer?
Its value can be adjusted between zero and the maximum value specified by the manufacturer.
What is an Alternating Current?
Electrons change direction 50 times every second, as if the negative and possitive poles of the cell were constantly changing places. It's produced in electrical stations and it's the one you get in a socket.
What do Semiconductors do?
Depending on the conditions they can act as conductors or as insulators. Ex: Germanium
Complete these sentences:
Metals have a ______ resistance.
Insulators have a very _______ resistance.
Metals have a low resistance.
Insulators have a very high resistance.
(True/False) The VOLTAGE is the same across a PARALLEL circuit
True!
Series Circuit - Vt = V1 + V2
Parallel Circuit - Vt = V1 = V2
What is resistance that depends on a physical factor?
Its value is affected by a physical factor like temperature (thermistor) or light (photo-resist)
What does the graph for voltage (Y-axis) versus time (X-axis) look like in a direct circuit
Straight horizontal line
What are the parts of an electrical circuit?
1. Generators - Provide the energy that electrons need in order to move
2. Loads - Transform electrical energy into other types of energy that we can use
3. Switching devices - Used to direct and interrupt the flow of energy
4. Safety elements - Protect the rest of elements in a circuit
What is Ohm's law? What are the 3 formulas?
It is a law that relates the 3 electrical magnitudes.
1. I = V/R
2. V = I*R
3. R = V/I
What is the formula for total resistance for SERIES circuits and PARALLEL circuits?
Series Circuit = Rt = R1 + R2
Parallel circuit = 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2
What are Diodes?
They only allow electric current to flow in one direction.
What does the graph for voltage (Y-axis) versus time (X-axis) look like in a direct circuit
Wavy line