Electric Circuits and Power Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering electric circuits, Ohm's law, energy consumption, and renewable versus non-renewable energy resources based on the lecture notes.

Battery / Electrochemical Cell

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy and acts as the source of electrical energy in a circuit by creating an electrical potential difference.

Voltage ($V$)

The difference in electrical potential energy between two points, measured in volts ($V$), which acts as the "push" that moves electrons through a circuit.

Conductor

A material that allows electricity to flow easily because it contains free-moving electrons, such as copper, aluminum, and other metals.

Insulator

A material that prevents or slows electrical flow because electrons are not able to move freely, with examples including rubber, plastic, and glass.

Current ($I$)

The flow of electric charge through a circuit, measured in amperes ($A$).

Ampere ($A$) Conversion

The standard unit for current, where $1,A = 1000,mA$.

Load

Any device that uses electrical energy and converts it into another form of energy, such as light, mechanical, or thermal energy.

Resistance ($R$)

The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms ($\Omega$). Factors affecting it include the length, thickness, and material of the wire, as well as temperature.

Short Circuit

Occurs when electricity takes an unintended path with very low resistance, causing a very large current to flow which can result in overheating, fires, or damage.

Ohm's Law

A physical law expressed by the formula $V = I \times R$, where $V$ is voltage, $I$ is current, and $R$ is resistance.

Series Circuit

A circuit with only one pathway for electricity where current is the same everywhere, and if one component breaks, the entire circuit stops working.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit with multiple pathways (branches) for electricity where each branch receives the same voltage, and if one component breaks, the others can still work.

Electric Power ($W$)

The rate at which electrical energy is used, measured in watts ($W$) and calculated using the formula $Power = \frac{Energy}{Time}$ or $P = \frac{E}{t}$.

Kilowatt ($kW$)

A larger unit of power where $1,kW = 1000,W$. For example, an electric heater may use $1500,W$ or $1.5,kW$.

Electric Energy

The amount of electrical power used over time, measured in kilowatt-hours ($kWh$) and calculated as $E(kWh) = P(kW) \times t(h)$.

Smart Meter

A device that measures how much electricity a home uses and records energy consumption, usually in $kWh$.

EnerGuide Label

A label used in Canada that shows energy efficiency information for appliances to help consumers compare energy use between products.

Energy Star Label

A label that identifies products that meet high energy-efficiency standards and use less energy than typical products.

Phantom Loads

Also known as standby power, this is the electricity used by devices even when they appear to be turned off, such as TVs on standby or plugged-in chargers.

Renewable Energy

Energy sources that naturally replenish, such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, and geothermal energy.

Non-Renewable Energy

Limited energy sources that take millions of years to form, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel (uranium).