Y9 Electricity and circuits

battery

more than one cell combined

circuit

a closed loop through which electricity moves - from a power source, through an arrangement of electrical components, and back into the power source

circuit diagram

diagram of electrical components connected by lines (wires), using standard symbols

circuit symbol

diagram of an electrical component; a standard symbol exists for each type of electrical component

conductor

material or object that allows electricity to flow through it

current

a flow of electricity which results from the ordered directional movement of electrons

insulator

material that does not allow electricity to pass through it

parallel circuit

electric circuit in which the current divides into two or more paths before combining again

series circuit

electric circuit in which all components are connected one after the other in a single line

cell

a single battery is called a cell when we are talking about electrical components

component

A single part of a circuit.

open switch

When a switch is like this, electricity is stopped.

closed switch

When a switch is like this, the electricity is flowing.

lamp

name for light bulb component in circuits

wire

represented as a straight line in circuit diagrams

buzzer

Produce buzzing sound

motor

motor symbol

Voltage

The difference in electrical potential energy between two places in a circuit. The push of current around a circuit.

volts

unit for voltage

Amps (Amperes)

Unit of electric current, written: A

Ohms

unit for resistance written as Greek sign omega

Ohm's Law

the current in a circuit equals the voltage difference divided by the resistance V=IxR

voltmeter

a device used to measure voltage, added in parallel across a component or components.

ammeter

A device used to measure current in a circuit, added in series to a circuit.

fixed resistor

Resistors that have a value that cannot be changed. Limits the current in a circuit.

variable resistor

A resistor whose value can be varied between its minimum and maximum values. Allows the current to be varied in a circuit.