Unit 2: Basic Electrical Quantities and Circuits

Flashcards covering basic electrical quantities, circuit laws, and measurement standards based on the Unit 2 lecture notes.

Volt

The potential difference between two points on a wire carrying $1\,ampere$ and dissipating $1\,watt$ of energy; also known as Electromotive force (EMF).

Ampere

The measure of the number of electrical charges passing a point in one second, specifically $1\,Coulomb$ ($6.25 \times 10^{18}$ electrons) per second.

Resistance

The inherent ability of a substance to limit the flow of electrical current, measured in Ohms ($\Omega$).

Power

Both the force and flow rate of electricity passing through something, expressed in Watts ($W$) and calculated as $P = E \times I$.

Coulomb

A quantity of electricity equal to $6.25 \times 10^{18}$ electrons; moving this amount with $1\,volt$ of pressure performs $1\,Joule$ of work.

Ohm ($\Omega$)

The amount of resistance required to limit the flow of current to $1\,amp$ if there is $1\,volt$ of EMF pushing it.

Ohm's Law

A law stating the proportional relationship in a circuit where $E = I \times R$.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law

A rule stating that the sum of all voltage drops in a circuit will equal the voltage supplied to it.

Kirchhoff's Current Law

A rule stating that the same current that enters a circuit will leave the circuit.

Series Circuit

A circuit arrangement where there is only one path for current flow, meaning the same current passes through all devices.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit arrangement where voltage and current follow multiple paths, resulting in the same voltage existing at each resistor.

Voltage Divider

A series circuit used to create different voltages at various points by utilizing voltage drops at each resistor.

Product over Sums

A method to find total resistance ($R_T$) in a parallel circuit using the formula $\frac{R_1 \times R_2}{R_1 + R_2}$.

Reciprocal Formula

A formula used to find total resistance in parallel circuits: $\frac{1}{R_T} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + \dots$

Metric Base Units

The seven basic units of the metric system: Meter (length), Kilogram (mass), Second (time), Ampere (electric current), Kelvin (temperature), Candela (light intensity), and Mole (molecular substance).

Giga (G)

A standard metric prefix representing a factor of $10^9$.

Nano (n)

A standard metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-9}$.

Micro (\mu)

A standard metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-6}$, often used for measurements like microvolts ($\mu V$).

Pascal

The SI unit for pressure, expressed as Newtons per square meter ($N/m^2$).

Yard

An Imperial unit of measure defined as the distance from the tip of the king's nose to the tip of his outstretched hand, equal to $3\,feet$.

Chain

An Imperial measuring instrument used in surveying consisting of $100\,links$, equal to $66\,Feet$.