Med Im Test 5 - Conductors, Insulators, Resistors, and Magnetism

What is the definition of a conductor?

Materials that allow a relatively free flow of electric current

Conductor examples

Copper, gold, aluminum

What is the definition of an insulator?

Does NOT permit electron flow

Insulator examples

Rubber, glass, wood

What is the definition of a resistor?

Material that resists or impedes the flow of electrons

Resistor examples

An _____ is the electrical resistance between two points along a conductor that, when one volt is applied, produces 1 ampere of current

Ohm

What is the formula for Ohm’s law?

V=IR

The amount of resistance in a conductor depends on what 4 characteristics?

1. Material

2. Length

3. Cross-sectional area

4. Temperature

Define semiconductor + give 2 examples

Material that can be a conductor or resistor depending on circumstances. Silicon, Germanium

What is the unit of measurement for electric potential?

Volt

What is the unit of measurement for resistance?

Ohm

What is the unit of measurement for current?

Ampere

Define direct current

One direction - in one terminal, out the other

Define alternating current

Current alternates back and forth between a flow in one direction and a flow the other

What are the 4 electric states of matter?

1. Superconductor

2. Conductor

3. Semiconductor

4. Insulator

Superconductor + examples

NO resistance to electron flow, must be VERY COLD (Titanium, Niobium)

Conductor + examples

Variable resistance, requires a voltage (Copper, Aluminum)

Semiconductor + examples

Can be conductive or resistive (Silicon, Germanium)

Insulator + examples

does NOT permit electron flow (high resistance), necessary with high voltage (Rubber, Glass)

What relationship do resistance and current have?

Inverse