Electricity & Safety
Built-up static charges can "jump" to another object, usually creating a spark. This is also known as what?
Electrical Discharge.
What is the difference between a dry cell and a wet cell?
Dry cell: contains an electrolyte that is a paste.
Wet cell: contains an electrolyte that is a solution/liquid.
What is a rheostat?
A switch that can vary the amount of resistance.
List 5 types of energy forms.
Chemical, electrical, kinetic/mechanical, thermal/heat, solar/light, and potential.
What is a renewable and non-renewable energy source? Provide an example of both.
Renewable: material from living things (ex: trees, agricultural crops, wood, etc.) that can be recycled and turned into fuels used to generate electricity.
Non-renewable: Typically oil, natural gas and coal (fossil fuels) used to generate electricity. They are consumed faster than produced by nature.
What is the difference between voltage and current? Bonus 100 points for identifying another name voltage is commonly referred to as.
Voltage: "How much" electricity
Current: "How fast" the electricity is moving.
Bonus: Potential Difference
What is the difference between electron current and conventional current?
Electron Current: Describes the direction electrons move in the circuit.
Conventional Current: Describes the direction in which a positive charge would move.
If resistance (R) increases, what will happen to the current (I)?
It will decrease (inversely proportional).
What is the difference between a motor and a generator?
Motor: Electrical energy -> Mechanical energy
Generator: Mechanical energy -> Electrical energy
Sulfur dioxide is a harmful gas created when using fossil fuels to generate electricity. This is one of the causes of acid rain. What acid is created when sulfur dioxide mixes with water?
sulfuric acid.
List 2 conditions needed for a wet cell to be efficient at conducting electricity.
1. Two different types of metals in the solution for the anode and cathode (ie. usually Copper and Zinc)
2. An acidic solution in the cell (ie. sulfuric acid, vinegar, lemon, etc.)
True or false. In a series circuit, multiple light bulbs in the circuit will experience an equal amount of voltage, totalling the amount of voltage supplied by the source.
False. They will all total the amount of voltage supplied by the source (9V), but the amount of voltage each bulb receives will decrease (6V, 2V, 1V).
What happens in an electromagnet when the number of coils increases?
The magent strength increases
In fossil fuel generation plants, antipollution systems were created to remove sulfur dioxide, a harmful gas that causes acid rain. What is the name of these systems?
What is the difference between a fuse and a breaker?
Both are safety devices that can interrupt a circuit. A fuse breaks and needs to be replaced. Breakers can be reset and do not need to be replaced.
What is the difference between a primary and secondary cell?
Primary: A cell that cannot be recharged and is used only once.
Secondary: A cell can be recharged.
What is the name of the meter that measures voltage, amperage, and resistance?
Multimeter
List the four parts of a basic motor.
Magnet, armature, commutator, and brushes.
Explain how nuclear electricity is generated (simple explanation).
atom splits -> generates heat -> heats water into steam -> steam moves turbine ->generator converts mechanical energy from turbine to electrical energy (electricity).
short circuit.
Explain the difference between electrolysis and electrorefining.
Electrolysis: using electricity to separate elements from a solution.
Electrorefining: using electricity to purify certain metals.
How does the placement of an ammeter and voltmeter differ within a circuit?
Ammeter: can be placed anywhere in the circuit.
Voltmeter: must be placed on both sides of the load (ex: bulb).
What is the difference between a step-down and a step-up transformer?
Step-down: reduces voltage by having less coils coming out than going in
Step-up: increases voltage by having more coils coming out than going in.
List 4 alternative energy sources.
Wind, Solar, Tidal, Geothermal, Nuclear, Biomass.