Automotive Electrical Review

Electrical Fundamentals

100

This Greek discovered the first naturally occurring electricty

Thales

200

Of the three parts of the atom, we are most concerned with the movement of this particle

Electron

300

"Electrical pressure" can be used to describe this

Voltage

400

A circuit with more than one path for current flow is known as this

A parallel circuit

500

E=IR is a theory discovered by this man

Georg Simon Ohm

Electrical Trivia

100

This car was used in the Back to the Future movies

DeLorean DMC-12

200

This is the name of the Camaro that turns into a robot in the Transformers movies

Bumblebee

300

The Roman god of commerce, element #80 on the periodic table and this division of Ford Motor company share this name

Mercury

400

This was the name of David Hasselhoff's AI companion in his Firebird on the TV series "Knight Rider"

KITT

500

A car assembly plant in Bowling Green Kentucky has been producing this vehicle since 1981  

Corvette

Batteries

100

The standing voltage of a fully charged automotive battery is this

12.6V

200

This is the material left on both plates when a battery is discharged

Lead Sulphate

300

Spiral cell technology was pioneered by this battery company

Optima

400

It is always best to charge a battery this way

Low and slow

500

This acronym is used to describe a battery that used a gel instead of a liquid for electrolyte

AGM

Starting/Charging

100

Before the electric starter, vehicles had to use this to start

Hand crank

200

The bigger the starter, the more likely you'll need more of this

Current

300

Starter field circuits were replaced by these in the 1980's

Permanent magnets

400

The small starter is able to turn over a large engine because of this

The gear ratio created between the starter pinion and the ring gear 

500

Due to its significant current draw, starting circuits will often incorporate one of these 

Starter relay

Lighting

100

These help to improve visibility for the driver at night

Headlights

200

Turn signals, marker lamps and tailights are all used to increase this 

Safety and visibility

300

Driving lights are operated while these are on

High beam headlamps

400

This type of headlight system may require up to 25,000 volts to start working

HID

500

When replacing a bulb, you should take care not to touch this

The lens of the bulb