Circuits and Electricity
What does the variable "I" represent?
Current
"Clean energy" is energy that doesn't produce what TWO negative effects?
Greenhouse gasses and pollution
What type of power plant is most likely to cause adverse health effects?
Fossil fuels
What process creates a magnetic field using an electric current?
Electromagnetism
What is the collection of energy distributors in an area called?
The electric grid
What symbol does the unit for Ohms use?
Omega (Ω)
What is the environmental drawback of a hydroelectric dam?
Alteration of habitat and disruption of ecosystems
Give an example of a variable cost
Labor, waste disposal, material cost
What is the energy transfer that occurs in a motor?
Electrical energy to mechanical energy.
What device is used to alter the voltage or current in a wire?
Transformer
What is the difference between Alternating and Direct Current?
Alternating Current is current that is constantly switching direction. Direct current is current that remains in one direction.
What are THREE different types of fuel used in thermal power plants?
Heat from the earth, coal, oil, natural gas, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, methane, etc.
How do more extreme temperatures lead to higher energy use?
More AC/heat is used.
What part of the motor does not move? (Give the fancy-pants name)
The stator
What happens to power as current increases?
Power increase exponentially in relation to current.
In Ohm's Law, what must happen to Resistance if Voltage increases and Current stays the same.
It must decrease.
What makes solar cells different from every other means of power generation?
They use the photovoltaic effect and do not require a spinning magnet to create a current.
What are two potential health risks of nuclear energy?
Radiation can leach into ground water, soil, atmosphere. Meltdowns happen rarely but can be catastrophic.
What process creates an electric current using a magnetic field?
What is the positive end of a battery called?
Cathode (meow)
Current causes an electric field, and convention dictates electric field lines are drawn + to -. Electrons travel from - to + because they are - and opposites attract.
How does nuclear power produce electricity?
Nuclear power uses nuclear fission to produce thermal energy. This thermal energy turns water into steam which turns a turbine. The turbine then turns a generator and produces electrical energy.
What are two main differences in energy needs between rural and urban communities.
Rural communities use less power, while urban use more. Rural communities value reliability more than urban.
What do BOTH the thumb AND fingers represent when using the right hand rule?
Thumb represents direction of current, fingers represent direction of magnetic field.
When and why must voltage be raised during the energy transfer process?
From power plant to power lines. A high voltage is required to push a low current long distances. A low current is required in power lines to prevent power loss over long distances.