Electric Circuits Flashcards

Flashcards for Electric Circuits based on lecture notes.

Switch

An electrical component that opens or closes a circuit.

Lamp

An electrical component that emits light when current flows through it.

Cell or Battery

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Diode

A component that allows current to flow in only one direction.

Resistor

A component that opposes the flow of current.

Fuse

A safety device that breaks the circuit if the current exceeds a certain value.

Voltmeter

An instrument used to measure voltage in a circuit.

Ammeter

An instrument used to measure current in a circuit.

Variable Resistor

A resistor whose resistance can be adjusted.

Thermistor

A resistor whose resistance changes with temperature.

LED

A Light Emitting Diode, which emits light when current flows through it in the forward direction.

A.C. Power Supply

A power supply that provides alternating current.

D.C. Power Supply

A power supply that provides direct current.

Variable D.C. Power Supply

A power supply that provides adjustable direct current.

LDR

A Light Dependent Resistor, whose resistance changes with light intensity.

Current

The flow of free electrons (negatively charged).

Voltage

The measure of how much electrical energy a certain number of electrons can transfer as they flow around a circuit.

Series Circuit

A circuit with only one path for current to flow.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit with more than one path for current to flow.

Change Resistance

The purpose of a variable resistor in a circuit.

Ohm's Law

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.

Resistance

A measure of how difficult it is for current to flow through a wire or device.

Thermistor work

As temperature increases, the resistance decreases.

LDR work

As light intensity increases, the resistance decreases.