Circuit vocab

Battery

A device that stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy to provide power to a circuit.

Voltage

The amount of electrical potential energy per charge; it “pushes” the electric current through a circuit.

Unit for voltage

The standard unit for measuring voltage is the Volt, abbreviated as V.

Current

The flow of electric charge through a conductor, usually measured in Amperes (A).

Closed circuit

A complete electrical path where current can flow from the source, through the components, and back to the source.

Open circuit

A broken or incomplete circuit where the flow of current is stopped.

Short circuit

An unintended connection in a circuit that allows current to flow along a shorter path with very low resistance, often causing overheating.

Parallel circuit

A circuit design where components are connected across multiple paths so current can flow through more than one path simultaneously.

Series circuit

A circuit design where components are connected in a single path, so the same current flows through all of them.

Ohm’s Law relationship

voltage, current, and resistance

Unit for resistance

The unit for electrical resistance is the Ohm, symbolized by Ω.

Symbol for resistance

omega

Power

The rate at which electrical energy is used or transferred in a circuit, calculated as Power = Voltage × Current (P = V × I).

Energy Source

An energy source like a battery or cell is needed to maintain a difference in electric potential and pump charges from - to +, allowing continuous current flow.

Closed Conducting Loop

A complete, unbroken path from the + to - terminal of the energy source is required for current to flow; any break stops the flow.

Proportionality of Ohm’s law

V=IR

Capacitor Function

A capacitor stores and releases electrical energy in a circuit.

Ammeter function

Measures the current flowing through a circuit.

Voltmeter function

Measures the voltage (potential difference) across two points in a circuit.

Brightness in Series Circuit

Decreases as more bulbs are added.