Electromagnetism - Physics

Potential Energy

the energy stored in an object relative to some other thing

Electrical Potential Energy

determined by the relative difference in strength of positive and negative charges and is also dependant on the distance between the charges.

The potential energy held by a charge is equivalent to…

the amount of work you have to do to separate the charges.

Static Electricity

a build of unbalanced charge in one area

Components of a circuit

• Battery/supply of energy

• Load

• Wires/closed loop for current to flow through

In a battery symbol, what line is positive and what line is negative

Long line = positive

Short Line = negative

which end do the electrons in a battery exit out from

the negative end

what is the goal of the electrons going through the electrical circuit

to get out from the negative end and reach towards the positive end since the electrons are attracted to the protons on the other end of the battery.

Load

take excess energy form electrons, slow and stop short circuits

Current

the number of electrons flowing through a circuit at a particular point per second, it is the flow of electrons through a circuit.

What is current measured in?

Amps (A)

What is voltage measured in?

Volts (V)

What is resistance measured in?

Ohms

Ammeter

Tool to measure current, placed in series.

Voltage

the power that each electron carries with it as it travels around the circuit (another word for potential difference)

Voltmeter

tool to measure potential difference, placed parallel to lightbulb.

Rule for current in a series circuit

I = V/R

Rule for voltage in a series circuit

V = IR

Rule for current in a parallel circuit

Add current in each branch for total

Rule for voltage in a parallel circuit

voltage is equal across all components

Quality conductors

to conduct well, electrons need to be able to move

Insulators

Do not have free moving electrons in their structure, current doesn’t flow

Resistance

friction encountered by an electron as it moves through a circuit

Ohms Law

V = IR, when the resistance is constant

Resisters in series…

increase the resistance of a circuit

Resistors in parallel…

decrease the resistance in a circuit

calculate resistance in series

R1+R2+R3 = Total resistance

calculate resistance in parallel

1/R(total) = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

solenoid

wire wrapped many times around a support, turns electrical energy into mechanical energy