Utilization of Electricity and Circuit Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic electrical quantities, Ohm's Law, series circuit properties, and parallel circuit properties.

Parallel Circuits

Circuits where components are connected on separate branches.

Current (I)

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

Voltage (V)

The electrical potential difference that pushes current through a circuit, measured in volts ($V$).

Resistance (R)

The opposition to the flow of current, measured in ohms ($\text{ohm}$ or $\text{Q}$).

Ohm's Law

The fundamental formula $V = I R$, connecting voltage ($V$), current ($I$), and resistance ($R$).

Ohm's Law for Current

The formula rearranged to solve for current: $I = \frac{V}{R}$.

Ohm's Law for Resistance

The formula rearranged to solve for resistance: $R = \frac{V}{I}$.

Series Circuits

Circuits where components are connected one after another in a single path.

Total Resistance in Series Circuits

The sum of all individual resistances: $R_T = R_1 + R_2 + R_3 + \text{\textellipsis}$

Total Resistance Formula for Two Parallel Resistors

The combined resistance calculated using $\frac{1}{R_T} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}$ or $R_T = \frac{R_1 R_2}{R_1 + R_2}$.

Characteristics of Series Circuits

Circuits where the same current flows through every component, voltage is divided among components, and if one component breaks, the whole circuit can stop working.