SL IB Physics Current & Circuits

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts in electric circuits, including circuit components, current, potential difference, resistance, and energy sources.

Circuit Diagram

A visual representation of an electrical circuit using universally recognized symbols for components.

Cell

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy, serving as a power source with a positive and negative terminal.

Battery

A power source consisting of multiple cells connected together.

Switch

A device used to open or close a circuit, controlling the flow of current.

Voltmeter

A device that measures the potential difference between two points in a circuit and is connected in parallel.

Ammeter

A device that measures the current flowing in a circuit and is connected in series.

Fixed Resistor

A device that limits the flow of current and transforms electrical potential energy into other forms of energy, such as thermal energy.

Variable Resistor

A resistor with an adjustable slider to change its resistance, affecting the current in the circuit.

Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR)

A resistor whose resistance varies with light intensity; resistance decreases as light intensity increases.

Thermistor

A resistor whose resistance varies with temperature; resistance decreases as temperature increases.

Potentiometer

A resistor with a sliding contact used to create an adjustable voltage divider.

Lamp

A component that emits light by heating a filament inside a glass cover.

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

A device that emits light when a current passes through it in one direction only.

Heating Element

An element that converts electrical energy into thermal energy through resistance.

Motor

An element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Earth (Ground)

The point in a circuit connected to the Earth, allowing for instantaneous discharge in case of malfunction.

Electric Current

The rate of flow of charge carriers, measured in amperes (A).

Conventional Current

Defined as the flow of positive charge from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.

Direct Current (DC)

Current that flows in one direction only.

Electric Potential Difference

The work done per unit charge on moving a positive charge between two points, measured in volts (V).

Electronvolt (eV)

The amount of energy needed to move an electron through a potential difference of one volt.

Electrical Conductor

A material that allows charge to flow through it easily, such as metals.

Electrical Insulator

A material that does not allow the flow of charge through it easily, such as rubber, plastic, or glass.

Electric Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current, resulting in the transfer of electrical potential energy to heat.

Ohm's Law

For a component at a constant temperature, the current through it is proportional to the potential difference across it (V = IR).

Resistivity

A property describing the extent to which a material opposes the flow of electric current through it.

Electromotive Force (EMF)

The amount of chemical energy converted to electrical energy per coulomb of charge when charge passes through a power supply, measured in volts (V).

Internal Resistance

The resistance within a power supply that causes a loss of voltage or energy loss.

Thermistor

A non-ohmic conductor and sensory resistor whose resistance varies with temperature.

Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR)

A non-ohmic conductor and sensory resistor whose resistance changes depending on the light energy falling onto it.

Potentiometer

A variable resistor connected as a potential divider to give a continuously variable output voltage.