Electricity and Magnetism: Key Concepts and Laws

Electric Circuit

Closed path for electric current flow.

Circuit Diagram

Visual representation of an electric circuit.

Electric Cell

Device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy.

Three-Cell Battery

Battery consisting of three electric cells.

AC Power Supply

Source providing alternating current electricity.

Variable DC Power Supply

Source providing adjustable direct current electricity.

Electrical Conductor

Material that allows electric current to pass.

Connecting Wire

Wire used to connect components in a circuit.

Open Switch

Switch that interrupts current flow in a circuit.

Closed Switch

Switch that allows current to flow in a circuit.

Lamp

Device that produces light when electric current passes.

Electric Motor

Device converting electrical energy to mechanical energy.

Voltmeter

Instrument measuring electric potential difference in volts.

Ohmmeter

Device measuring electrical resistance in ohms.

Electric Potential Energy

Energy stored due to electric charge positions.

Electric Potential Difference

Voltage difference between two points in a circuit.

Electric Potential (V)

Amount of electric potential energy per unit charge.

Charge (Q)

Quantity of electricity measured in coulombs.

Electric Current

Flow of electric charge through a circuit.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current flowing in one direction only.

Load

Component that consumes electric power in a circuit.

Source

Device providing electric energy to a circuit.

I

Electric current measured in amperes (A).

Q

Amount of charge measured in coulombs (C).

~t

Time interval measured in seconds (s).

Ampere

One coulomb per second passing a point.

Coulomb

Unit of electric charge; 6.2 x 10^18 electrons.

Ammeter

Device used to measure electric current.

Nerve cells

Cells that transmit signals using electric current.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)

Total voltage in a circuit equals voltage drops.

Series circuit

Single path for current; shares voltage across loads.

Parallel circuit

Multiple paths for current; voltage remains constant.

Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

Total current entering a junction equals leaving it.

Junction

Point in a circuit where currents converge.

Voltage

Electric potential energy per unit charge.

Equivalent resistance

Total resistance in a circuit configuration.

Resistance

Opposition to current flow, measured in ohms (Ω).

Ohm's Law

Voltage equals current times resistance (V=IR).

Current through a wire

Amount of charge passing a point over time.

Electric potential

Energy per charge in an electric field.

Resistor

Component that resists current flow.

Circuit

Closed loop allowing electric current to flow.

Kirchhoff's Laws

Rules for current and voltage in circuits.

Magnetic Field

Region around a magnet affecting magnetic objects.

Magnetic Field Lines

Visual representation of magnetic fields' direction.

North Pole

Magnet end that points towards Earth's north.

South Pole

Magnet end that points towards Earth's south.

Attraction

Force drawing opposite magnetic poles together.

Repulsion

Force pushing like magnetic poles apart.

Circuit Analysis

Problem-solving for electric circuits using laws.

Voltage Source

Provides electrical energy in a circuit.

Current (I)

Flow of electric charge measured in Amperes.

Resistance (R)

Opposition to current flow measured in Ohms.

Voltage (V)

Electric potential difference measured in Volts.

KVL (Kirchhoff's Voltage Law)

Total voltage around a closed loop equals zero.

KCL (Kirchhoff's Current Law)

Total current entering a junction equals total leaving.

Suspended Magnetic Objects

Align with Earth's magnetic field direction.

Gravitational Field

Region around mass affecting other masses.

Electric Field

Region around charged object affecting other charges.

Field Intensity

Strength of magnetic field, stronger near poles.

Circuit Steps

Process to solve for unknown circuit values.

Compass

Device aligning with magnetic field direction.

Attraction and Repulsion

Interaction between two magnets based on polarity.

Hans Christian Oersted

Scientist linking electricity and magnetism in 1819.

Conducting Wire

Wire through which electric current flows.

Oersted's Principle

Current creates circular magnetic fields around conductors.

Conventional Current

Flow of positive charge from positive to negative terminal.

Electron Flow

Movement of electrons from negative to positive terminal.

Right-Hand Rule

Method to determine magnetic field direction around conductor.

Left-Hand Rule

Used for determining electron flow direction.

X Symbol

Indicates magnetic field entering the page.

Dot Symbol

Indicates magnetic field exiting the page.

Solenoids

Coiled wire generating magnetic fields when current flows.

Andre-Marie Ampere

Scientist further investigating Oersted's discoveries.

Coiled Conductors

Looped wire enhancing magnetic field strength.

Magnetic Field Strength

Intensity of magnetic field produced by current.

Electromagnetism

Study of relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Magnetic Field Interaction

Effects of multiple magnetic fields on each other.

Current Direction

Path of electric charge flow in a circuit.

Magnetic Field Representation

Symbols used to depict magnetic field direction.

Motors and Generators

Devices utilizing electromagnetism for mechanical work.

Concentric Circles

Pattern of magnetic field lines around a conductor.

Coiled Conductor

Wire wound into a coil for magnetic effects.

Solenoid

Coiled wire generating a magnetic field when energized.

Electromagnet

Magnet created by electric current in a coil.

Strength of Electromagnet

Increased by adding more coils or using soft iron.

Right-Hand Rule for Solenoid

Thumb points current direction; fingers show field lines.

Applications of Solenoids

Used in subwoofers, electric bells, and lifting magnets.

Motor Principle

Electric current in a magnetic field experiences force.

Faraday's Experiment

Demonstrated current in conductor within magnetic field.

Magnitude of Force

Depends on current, magnetic field strength, and angle.

Right-Hand Rule for Motor Principle

Thumb for current, fingers for magnetic field direction.

Electromagnetic Induction

Production of electric current from changing magnetic fields.

Lenz's Law

Induced current opposes change in magnetic flux.

Oersted's Discovery

Electric current creates a magnetic field around it.

Field Lines

Visual representation of magnetic fields around magnets.

Soft Iron

Material used to enhance electromagnet strength.

Electric Bell

Device using electromagnet to ring a bell.

Subwoofer

Speaker using solenoid for low-frequency sound reproduction.

Current-Carrying Conductor

Wire through which electric current flows.