Physics Grade 10 Electricity

Potential difference

The amount of energy required to move charge from one point to another

Current

The rate that charge flows at per second

Resistance

Opposition to the flow of electric current

Resistor

A component that restrict the flow of electricity

Charge

A protperty that experiences a force when placed n an electromagnetic field

Static electricity

The build up of enectric charge in an object

Conductor

A material that alllows for the flow of current qwith low resistance

Rectifier

A device that turns AC current into DC current for powering electronic devices

AC current

current that changes directions periodically, the change of directions per second is measured in Hz with. a typical frequency of 50 Hz in mains electricity

Power

the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or converted, measured in watts.

Fuse

a piece of metal that melts to protect an electrical circuit by breaking the connection when too much current flows.

Circuit breaker

A piece of bimetallic that interrupts electric flow in a circuit when there is too much current by bending

Series circuit

A circuit where components are connected in a single loop so the current is the same through all components.

Efficiency

The ratio of useful output energy (or power) to total input energy (or power), expressed as a percentage.

How does induced charge separation occur?

When a charged object is brought near a neutral object caising redistributioon of charges

What happens when a charged object touches the ground?

The excess charge flows into the Earth, neutralizing the charged object. This is called grounding.

What is Static electricity caused by?

Friction which transfers electrons between materials

What do Grounding Wires do?

Safely direct excess current into the earth

What are Residual Current Devices (RCD)

They protect against electric shock by disconnecting the circuit when detecting any imbalance in the electrical current between the live and neutral wires

What does double insulation of wires do?

Protect users from touching live parts of the wire

What are capitcitors?

Components that temperarily store electrical energy

What happens when a capacitor is connected to a resistor?

The voltage across the resistor decreases exponentially

Where are capacitors used?

Capacitors are used in timing circuits such as in flash photography and smoothing out voltage fluctuations