Electrical Principles and Technologies topics 1-4 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts in electricity, electrical components, and circuit properties.

circuit

continuous pathway for electricity to travel

voltage

a measure of electrical pressure and difference in electric potential

static electricity

occurs when there are unbalanced charges

switch

a component in a circuit that opens and closes it, controlling the flow of electricity

current

a measure of the rate of flow of electricity

superconductor

a material that offers very little, if any, resistance to the flow of charges

electrostatic discharge

process where unbalanced charges neutralize, felt as a shock or seen as a spark

resistance

the property of a substance that hinders motion of electric charge

semiconductor

a material that has more resistance than metals, but less than insulators

load

component in a circuit that converts electrical energy to another form of energy

insulator

a material that is a poor conductor of electricity/ does not allow charges to move freely through them

battery

device made up of two or more cells

grounding

connecting an object to Earth with conducting wire to safely rebalance a charge

conductor

a material that allows electricity to flow through it relatively easily

ohmeter

a device that measures resistance

Ohm’s Law

It explains the relationship between current and voltage, which states R=V/I

What is the unit and symbol for resistance?

Ohm, abbreviated as R. The symbol is Ω

Potential energy

The energy an object/charge has because of its position

Potential difference

The difference in electrical potential energy per unit charge (coulomb) between two points.

What are the three components in an atom?

1. Protons

2. Neutrons

3. Electrons

Describe the structure of an atom

-nucleus contains positively charged protons and uncharged/neutral neutrons

-electrons move around nucleus in shells/energy levels

-electrons are a lot smaller than atoms and can move between them

What are the different charges? What is the negative to positive electrons ratio in each?

-NEUTRAL: equal negative to positive ratio

-EXCESS POSITIVE: greater positive to negative ratio

-EXCESS NEGATIVE: greater negative to positive ratio

What does the Law of Charges explain? What are the Three Laws of Charges?

The Law of Charges explain the behaviour between charged and uncharged particles.

1. Unlike charges attract

2. Like charges repel

3. Charged objects attract uncharged/neutral objects

What is a parallel circuit

Circuits where components are connected along separate branches

What is a series circuit

A circuit that has only one path for electric energy

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Conducting wire

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Cell

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Battery

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Light bulb/lamp

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Switch

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Resistor

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Ammeter

Which circuit component does this symbol represent?

Voltmeter

What is the unit for current?

Amperes or milliamperes abbreviated as A or mA

What is an ampere?

A unit used to measure the amount of electric current flowing through a circuit

what devices do you use to measure current, voltage, and resistance? Does it need to be connected in series or parallel?

-CURRENT: ammeter, must be connected in series w/ conducting wire

-VOLTAGE: voltmeter, must be connected in parallel across whatever components voltage you want to check

-RESISTANCE: ohmeter, must be connected in parallel across whatever components resistance you want to check. Component must be disconnected from power source

What are ionizers? What is an ion?

-IONIZERS: Ionization devices produce both Positive and negative ions, Which are attracted to materials with an opposite charge. It will transfer charges until the material is neutralized.

-IONS: an atom/group of molecules that has a net electrical charge as it has an unequal amount of protons and electrons.

What is and antistatic coating?

A coating or spray that can be applied to carpets and other surfaces on which charge accumulates. After materials Have become charged sprays can also be used to scatter the charge.

How can a circuit compare to a water wheel? (Helps understand how circuits function)

-POTENTIAL ENERGY/DIFFERENCE: water in a tank has potential energy, a battery has potential difference (voltage)

-PATH: pipes provide a path of water to flow through, wires provide a path for electrons

-VALVE/SWITCH: a valve/tap Controls the flow of water, a switch controls, the flow of electric energy

-ENERGY CONVERSION: a water wheel turns the movement of water into useful energy, a load converts, electric energy

What is the symbol for voltage?

Volts, abbreviated as V

What are four factors that can affect the resistance of wire in a circuit? (Increase or decrease in resistance?)

1. LENGTH: resistance increases

2. AREA: resistance decreases

3. TEMPERATURE: resistance increases as temp. increases

4. MATERIAL: some metals allow electrons to move more freely than others due to their atom structure

What are the formulas to find resistance,current,and voltage?

-R=V/I

-I=V/R

v=IR

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a series circuit?

-ADVANTAGES: simple to construct, and simple wiring

-DISADVANTAGES: vulnerable to failure, if one component in the circuit fails, the flow of electric energy stops.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a parallel circuit?

-ADVANTAGES: more resistant to failure, if one component in the circuit fails, the remainders shall still work as intended

-DISADVANTAGES: complex to construct, complex wiring

Almost every real world application of electronics use which circuit?

Both series and parallel

Source

Where electricity is created

Control

Device that regulates amount of electricity flowing

What is a variable resistor? Give three examples

Does not have fixed resistance, because they are designed to be changed

1. Fan

2. Thermostat

3. Surge protector

What are the five different types of energy forms?

1. Energy from motion (kinetic)

2. Energy from difference in temperature/heat (thermal)

3. Energy due to position (potential)

4. Energy from difference in charge (electrical)

5. Energy held in molecular bonds between atoms (chemical)

Energy

The ability to do work.

Work

The transfer of energy through motion

Force

A push or pull that acts on an object

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy

States that Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only change form or move from one place to another.

Piezoelectric electric effect

When piezoelectric crystals like quartz expands or contracts slightly (experiencing pressure) when connected to electricity, creating sound waves and vibrations. The reverse effect is when the crystals are experiencing pressure and potential difference builds up on opposite sides of the crystal.

Photovoltaic cells

Electronic devices that convert light energy directly into electricity.

Name three different types of light bulbs and a short description of each.

1. INCANDESCENT: electricity passes through a thin tungsten filament, heating it until it glows. Most electrical energy is released as heat.

2. FLUORESCENT: electricity passes through a gas inside a tube, producing UV radiation that makes fluorescent coatings inside the tube to glow

3. L.E.D: electricity passes through a semiconductor material, causing it to emit visible light

Name a way to convert heat into energy

Thermocouples use two wires of different metals, which are wrapped together at both ends (junctions). When one junction is heated a small electric current is produced. The greater temperature difference between the two wires, the greater electric current.

How can you convert electrical energy to motion (without using a moto)r?

Piezoelectric crystals like quartz expands or contracts slightly when connected to a source of electricity. Any material touching the crystal experiences pressure which can create sound waves or vibrations.

How can you convert emotion to electrical energy?

Some devices use the piezoelectric effect in reverse. When a piezoelectric crystal like quartz is being compressed or pulled, a potential difference builds up on opposite sides of the crystal. Conductors can be attached to the crystal, connecting to a circuit, where the crystal acts as a source of energy.

How is electrical energy created

When electrons move from one object to another/ from one place to another

What happens when electrical charges in a material become neutralized?

They become balanced

How do you neutralize an insulator?

Only with ionization.