Electric Current and Circuit Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to electric current, circuits, drift velocity, and more.

Electric Current

A continuous flow of electric charges in a conducting path.

Ampere (Amp)

The SI unit of electric current, represented as 1 A.

Conventional Current

The direction of current that flows from the positive to the negative terminal.

Electron Flow

The direction of current that flows from the negative to the positive terminal.

Drift Velocity

The average speed at which charged particles move along a conductor.

Charge (Q)

The amount of electric charge, calculated as current (I) multiplied by time (t).

Current Density (J)

The ratio of electric current passing through a cross-sectional area of a wire.

Energy Source

The part of a circuit that provides energy, often a battery.

Load

The component in a circuit that consumes electrical energy, such as a light bulb.

Closed Circuit

A complete path for electric current to flow.

Drift Velocity Formula

Vd = I/(neA), where I is current, n is number density of charges, e is charge of an electron, A is cross-sectional area.

Charge Movement Equation

Q = I × t, represents the relationship between charge, current, and time.

Electric Circuit

A closed loop that allows electric current to flow.

Battery

A device that stores energy and provides voltage in a circuit.

Light Bulb

A load in a circuit that transforms electrical energy into light.

Switch

A device that can open or close an electric circuit.

Current Measuring Point

The location in a circuit where current is being measured.

SI Unit

The International System of Units, used to measure physical quantities.

Volume Charge Density (n)

The number of charges per unit volume.

Area (A)

The cross-sectional area through which current flows.

Ampere's Law

Relates the integrated magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric current passing through the loop.

Voltage (V)

The difference in electric potential energy per charge between two points.

Conducting Path

A material that allows the movement of electric charges.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that flow through conductors to create electric current.

Coulomb (C)

The unit of electric charge, equivalent to the amount of charge carried by 1 ampere in 1 second.

Q = neAd

The formula to calculate total mobile charge in a length of conductor, where n is the number of charges per unit volume, e is the charge, A is the area, and d is the length.

Average Drift Velocity

The average velocity of charge carriers in a conductor.

Cross-Sectional Area

The area of a cut made across an object, particularly in the context of conductors.

Mobile Charge

Electric charge that can move through a conductor.

1 Coulomb

1 C is equivalent to 6.25 x 10^18 electrons.

6 mA

A current of 6 milliamps; equal to 0.006 A.

Voltage Source

Provides electrical energy that drives the flow of current.

Resistance

Opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms.

Ohm's Law

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, stated as V = IR.

Electromotive Force (EMF)

The voltage generated by a battery or other energy source in a circuit.

Power in Circuits

Calculated as the product of voltage and current, P = VI.

Total Charge Equation

Q = It, where Q is total charge, I is current, and t is time.

Electric Density Formula

J = I/A, where J is current density, I is current, A is area.

Current Measurement Units

Current is measured in Amperes.

Energy Conversion in Circuits

Electric energy is converted into other forms, such as light or heat.

Electron Density in Copper

Copper has a density of approximately 8.5 x 10^28 electrons per cubic meter.

Drift Velocity and Current Relationship

Drift velocity is proportional to current and inversely proportional to charge density.

Ionization

The process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses an electron.

Continuous Current

A flow of electric current that remains constant over time.

Electric Flow Direction

The flow of electric current is defined as flowing from positive to negative.

Closed Path

A connection that allows current to flow without interruption.

Flow of Electrons

Electrons move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.