Understanding Electricity: Concepts and Calculations

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80 Terms

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Electrostatics

Study of electric charges at rest.

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Proton

Positively charged particle in an atom.

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Electron

Negatively charged particle in an atom.

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Neutron

Neutral particle in an atom.

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Static Electricity

Charge imbalance on objects due to electron transfer.

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Insulator

Material that does not allow charge flow.

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Conductor

Material that allows charge flow easily.

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Electric Field

Region around charged object affecting other charges.

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Field Lines

Visual representation of electric field strength and direction.

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Current

Movement of electrons through a conductor.

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Conventional Current

Flow of current from positive to negative.

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Electric Current

Actual flow of electrons from negative to positive.

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Power Source

Device providing energy to drive current.

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Circuit Diagram

Visual representation of electrical components and connections.

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Charge (C)

Measured in Coulombs, represents electric charge.

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Current (A)

Measured in Amperes, rate of charge flow.

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Time (s)

Measured in seconds, duration of current flow.

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Milliamps (mA)

Unit for small currents, 1 A = 1000 mA.

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Ammeter

Device used to measure electric current.

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Potential Difference (P.D.)

Force pushing electrons through a circuit.

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Volts (V)

Unit of potential difference or voltage.

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Voltmeter

Device used to measure potential difference.

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Energy Transferred

Work done by charges in a circuit component.

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Charge Flow Calculation

Charge = current x time formula.

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Electric Field Speed

Electric field created close to speed of light.

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Charge Flow Example

1.68 C charge from 14 mA over 120 s.

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Electrical Working

Energy transferred equals potential difference times charge.

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Potential Difference (P.D.)

Voltage across components in a circuit.

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Series Circuit

Single loop with identical current throughout.

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Ammeter

Device used to measure current in a circuit.

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Voltmeter

Measures potential difference across circuit components.

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Parallel Circuit

Multiple loops allowing independent current flow.

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Current Conservation

Currents in parallel add to total current.

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Resistance

Opposition to current flow, measured in Ohms (Ω).

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Ohm's Law

Current is directly proportional to voltage at constant temperature.

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Resistance Calculation

Resistance equals potential difference divided by current.

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Variable Resistor

Allows user to adjust resistance in a circuit.

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Characteristic Graph

Plots current against potential difference for components.

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Linear Circuit Element

Resistance remains constant with varying potential difference.

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Non-linear Circuit Element

Resistance changes with varying potential difference.

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Diode

Component allowing current flow in one direction only.

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LED

Light Emitting Diode; emits light when current flows.

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Mains Voltage

Standard voltage supplied to homes, typically 230V.

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Alternating Voltage Frequency

Mains electricity operates at 50Hz frequency.

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Current (I) Symbol

Represents electric current in equations.

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Resistance Change Factors

Resistance varies with temperature and material properties.

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Current Measurement

Measured in Amperes (A) using an ammeter.

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Voltage Measurement

Measured in Volts (V) using a voltmeter.

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Power Transmission

Electricity delivered to homes via national grid.

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Electrical Energy Formula

Energy (J) equals voltage (V) times charge (C).

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Resistor Function

Limits current flow in electrical circuits.

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Temperature Effect on Resistance

Higher temperatures increase resistance in conductors.

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Circuit Loop Independence

In parallel circuits, loops operate independently.

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Live Wire

Brown wire that carries current to appliance.

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Neutral Wire

Blue wire that completes the circuit.

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Ground Wire

Green and yellow wire for safety connection.

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Complete Circuit

Path for current to flow through appliance.

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Safety Feature

Prevents electric shock and equipment damage.

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Double Insulation

No Earth pin needed for safety.

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Net Resistance

Total resistance across all circuit components.

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Series Circuit

Current is equal throughout the circuit.

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Parallel Circuit

Potential difference is equal across each loop.

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Potential Difference (P.D)

Energy transferred per unit charge.

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Ohm's Law

V = I x R, relates voltage, current, resistance.

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Power (P)

Energy transferred per second, measured in watts.

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Kilowatt (kW)

Unit of power equal to 1000 watts.

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Megawatt (MW)

Unit of power equal to 1,000,000 watts.

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Power Formula

P = V x I, relates power, voltage, current.

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Resistance and Temperature

Higher temperature increases resistance in wires.

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Resistance vs Length

Longer wires have higher resistance.

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Resistance vs Area

Thicker wires have lower resistance.

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Charge (Q)

Q = I x t, relates charge, current, time.

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Energy (E)

E = Q x V, relates energy, charge, voltage.

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Resistors in Series

Total resistance is R1 + R2.

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Resistors in Parallel

Total resistance is half for equal resistors.

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Current at Junction

Total current in equals total current out.

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Current Definition

Rate of flow of electric charge.

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Voltage Definition

Energy transferred per unit of charge.

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Current Squared Formula

P = I² x R, relates power, current, resistance.

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V = I x R

Formula for calculating potential difference.