Physics - Simple circuits

What is an electric circuit?

A complete path through which electric current can flow.

What are the main components of a simple circuit?

A power source (like a battery), wires, and a load (like a light bulb).

What does a battery do in a circuit?

It provides the electrical energy needed to push the current through the circuit.

What is a load in a circuit?

A device that uses electrical energy, such as a light bulb or resistor.

What is the purpose of wires in a circuit?

They connect the components and allow electric current to flow between them.

What is a closed circuit?

A circuit that is complete, allowing current to flow.

What is an open circuit?

A circuit that is broken, preventing current from flowing.

What is the unit of electric current?

Ampere (A).

What does a switch do in a circuit?

It can open or close the circuit, controlling the flow of current.

What is a series circuit?

A circuit where components are connected one after another, so current flows through each component in turn.

What is a parallel circuit?

A circuit where components are connected across common points, allowing current to flow through multiple paths.

What happens if one component fails in a series circuit?

The entire circuit stops working because the path for current is broken.

What happens if one component fails in a parallel circuit?

The other components can still operate because there are multiple paths for current to flow.

What is voltage?

The difference in electric potential energy between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (V).

How can you increase the brightness of a bulb in a simple circuit?

By increasing the voltage from the power source or adding more batteries in series.

What is this symbol?

Ammeter

What is this symbol?

Battery

What is this symbol?

Bulb/lamp

What is this symbol?

Cell

What is this symbol?

Light emmitting diode (LED)

What is this symbol?

Ohmeter

What is this symbol?

Resistor

What is this symbol?

Switch (closed)

What is this symbol?

Switch (open)

What is this symbol?

Thermistor

What is this symbol?

Variable resistor

What is this symbol?

Voltmeter

What is voltage?

Voltage is the amount of energy per unit charge that makes electric charges move in a circuit.

What is the unit of voltage?

The unit of voltage is the volt (V).

What instrument is used to measure voltage?

Voltage is measured using a voltmeter.

How should a voltmeter be connected in a circuit?

A voltmeter should be connected in parallel with the component being measured.

What does a higher voltage indicate in a circuit?

A higher voltage means more energy is being

What happens to the voltage in a series circuit?

In a series circuit, the total voltage is shared between the components.

What happens to the voltage in a parallel circuit?

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each branch is the same as the voltage of the power source.

What is the difference between voltage and current?

Voltage is the energy per charge, while current is the flow of electric charges.

What is the symbol for voltage in equations?

The symbol for voltage in equations is V.

If a battery has a voltage of 9V, what does it mean?

It means the battery provides 9 joules of energy per coulomb of charge.