BCST 1101 Electricity

Electricity

A bunch of physical elements that come from the flow of electrically charged particles.

Atoms

The basic building blocks of matter.

Charged Particles

Electrons, protons, and neutrons that make up atoms.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles found in atoms.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in atoms.

Neutrons

Particles with no charge found in atoms.

Static

Not moving or in motion.

Static Electricity

Accumulation of charges that stay put.

Current

Electric charges in motion that create electricity.

Electric Charges

Basic property of matter that governs how atomic particles are affected by an electric or magnetic field.

Ions

Unbalanced atoms that have gained or lost an electron.

Electric Fields

Alter the nature of space around them and are created by electrical charges.

Electromagnetic Fields

Electric fields in motion that have a magnetic polarity.

AC

Alternating current, created by rotating a magnet inside a coil of wire.

DC

Direct current, created by batteries or lightning.

Power Source

Provides an excess of electrons.

Conductor

A material with plenty of movable electrons.

Complete Circuit

A path from negative back to neutral/positive.

Ampere

The unit of electric current.

Voltage

The "pressure" that makes electrons move.

Batteries

Convert chemical energy directly to electrical energy.

Generators

Devices that cause an imbalance of electrons or make electrons start moving.

Series Circuits

Circuits where current flows through each component in a single path.

Parallel Circuits

Circuits where current splits and flows through multiple paths.

Current

The rate of flow of charge through a conductor.

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current.

Loads

Devices that convert electricity into another form.

Conductors

Materials with electrons that are relatively free to move around.

Insulators

Materials that do not conduct current.

Induction

Making electrons move without direct contact.

EMF

Electromotive force, the force that causes electrons to move in a circuit.

Radio Frequencies

Electromagnetic waves used for communication.

Induction

The key force behind power generation, transformers, and radio broadcasting.

Electro Motive Force (EMF)

The electric field created in a conductor when it is moved in a magnetic field.

Specific Uses for Induction

Radio, traffic light sensors, electric generators, induction cooking, wireless charging, and transformers.

Induction as Interference

AC power with moving EM fields can cause interference, while DC power or signals do not.

Sources of Interference

High-powered devices, AC power cords, microwave ovens, electric motors, and radio devices.

Ohm's Law

Describes the relationships between various aspects of electrical force.

Ohm's Law and Voltage

The current flowing in a circuit is directly proportional to the voltage.

Ohm's Law and Resistance

The current flow is inversely proportional to the resistance in the circuit.

Power Triangle

Describes the relationship between current flow, electrons, and the work being done in a circuit.

Power

The rate at which energy is absorbed or produced within a circuit.

Cables and Connectors

Wires vs. cables, different types of connectors, and their uses.

Wire

Solid, stranded, and braided wire types.

Insulation

The purpose of insulation in wires, including safety and durability.

Connector Gender

Plug vs. jack or socket, and the convention for signal source direction.

Phone Jack

A ¼ inch or 6.5 mm diameter connector used for telephone connections.

XLR

A robust, locking connector widely used in professional audio.

HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface, used for digital audio and video connections.

USB

Universal Serial Bus, used for computer peripherals and power delivery.

RCA

A common analog audio connector, often used for input and output connections.

Adapters and Extensions

Devices used to connect different types of connectors together or extend cable runs.