electricity: physics

electric charge

physical property of particles in an object

an object is either…

positive or negative charge, or neutral “no charge”

what is electric charge based on

protons and electrons

similar=

repel

opposite=

attract

electric force

is the attraction and repulsion between charged particles

what does electric strength depend on

amount of electric charge and distance between particles

greater force=

larger charge, shorter distance

electric field

space surrounding a charged particle where particles exert electric force

static electricity

it’s the build up of charges in an object

why does static electricity happen

imbalance of electrons

electric discharge

release of charges away quickly causes a “shock”

a simple circuit must have,,,

cells or batteries and wires made of metal and electrical component:bulb-motor-buzzer

electrical current

flow of charge around a circuit (only if circuit is complete)

conductors

all metals, allow electricity to pass through

insulators

wood, plastic, glass, dont allow electricity to pass through “non-metals”

graphite

non-metal that allows electricity to pass through

switch

controls the flow of electric current.

open switch=

switch off

closed switch

switch on

factors affecting components in a series circuit

adding cells, adding electrical components, length of wires, thickness of wires

how does adding cells affect components in a series circuit

more cells=increase the volts and brightness of the lamp

how does adding electrical components affect components in a series circuit

decreases the volts between components= dimmer lamp

how does the length of the wires affect components in a series circuit

shorter wire=brighter lamp, longer wire=dimmer lamp

how does the thickness of the wire affect components in a series circuit

thicker wire=brighter lamp, thin wire=dimmer lamp

what is the electrical current symbol

capital I

what device is used to measure electrical current

ammeter

what unit of measurement is electrical current

amps= A

electrical current rule

ammeter must be connected in series

Voltage

is related to the electrical energy supplied to a circuit

voltage is measured in…

Volts= V

voltage is measured using a…

voltmeter and its connected in parallel to the component

adding more components in a series circuit=

decreses the current in the circuit

adding more cells=

increase voltage across components and increase current in circuit