Physics 2 Reviewer: Electricity and Circuits

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, formulas, definitions, and units from the Physics 2 Reviewer sheet on electricity, electric circuits, and electrostatics.

Electric Potential Energy ($U$)

The energy possessed by an electric charge because of its position relative to another charge, calculated as $U = \frac{k q_1 q_2}{d}$.

Electric Potential ($V$)

The electric potential energy per unit charge, given by $V = \frac{U}{q}$ or $V = \frac{k q}{d}$ for a point charge.

Electric Potential Difference ($\Delta V$)

The difference in electric potential between two points ($\Delta V = V_f - V_i$), indicating how much energy is transferred per unit charge when a charge moves between two points.

Electrical Energy ($E$)

The energy transferred or used by an electrical device over a period of time, calculated as $E = Pt$.

Electric Power ($P$)

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred or work is done, telling how quickly energy is being used or transferred ($P = VI$).

Electric Current ($I$)

The rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor, telling how much charge passes a point each second ($I = \frac{Q}{t}$).

Electric Charge ($Q$)

The physical property responsible for electric interactions, measured in coulombs ($\text{C}$).

Resistance ($R$)

The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms ($\Omega$).

Ohm's Law

A foundational relationship relating voltage, current, and resistance via the formula $V = IR$.

Series Circuit

A circuit arrangement featuring a single path where electric current remains the same across all components ($I_{\text{total}} = I_1 = I_2 = I_3$).

Parallel Circuit

A circuit arrangement featuring multiple paths or branches where voltage remains constant across all branches ($V_{\text{total}} = V_1 = V_2 = V_3$).

Ampere ($\text{A}$)

The standard unit of electric current, defined as one coulomb per second ($1\,\text{A} = 1\,\text{C/s}$).

Volt ($\text{V}$)

The standard unit of electric potential and voltage, equivalent to one joule per coulomb ($1\,\text{V} = 1\,\text{J/C}$).