Physics Electricity and Circuits PA
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28 Terms
Series circuit
A circuit that contains only one path for current.
Kirchhoff’s voltage law
The sum of all voltage drops in a closed loop equals the battery’s voltage.
Voltage drop
The decrease in electrical potential across a resistor when current flows.
Series circuit current
The current is the same at every point in a series circuit.
Burned‑out bulb in series
The circuit opens, current stops, and all bulbs go out.
Total resistance in series
Add all resistances: Rtotal=R1+R2+R3+…
Adding bulbs in series
Resistance increases; brightness decreases.
Kirchhoff’s current law
All current entering a junction must also leave the junction.
Short circuit
A low‑resistance path that bypasses the load, causing dangerously high current.
Parallel circuit
A circuit with multiple branches or paths for current.
Voltage in parallel
Each branch has the same voltage as the battery.
Advantages of parallel circuits
Devices get full voltage; one device failing doesn’t affect others.
Home wiring
Appliances are wired in parallel; turning one off doesn’t turn off others.
Resistance in parallel
Total resistance decreases as more branches are added.
Parallel resistance formula
Rtotal=1/R1+1/R2+…
Why short circuits are dangerous
They allow huge currents that can melt wires or start fires.
Kilowatt
1 kilowatt = 1000 watts.
Power
The rate of converting electrical energy; P=IV.
Kilowatt‑hour
A unit of energy equal to using 1 kW for 1 hour.
Horsepower
1 horsepower = 746 watts.
Direct current (DC)
Current that flows in one direction; produced by batteries.
Alternating current (AC)
Current that reverses direction; used in homes.
Transformer
A device that converts high‑voltage electricity to lower voltage.
AC frequency in the U.S.
60 Hz → reverses direction 120 times per second.
Wire thickness & resistance
Thinner wires have more resistance.
Wire length & resistance
Longer wires have more resistance.
Why long extension cords are dangerous
More length → more resistance → more heat → fire risk.
Purpose of AC adapter
Converts 120 V AC to low‑voltage DC for devices.