Electric Circuits

Electric Circuit

A pathway, usually made of metal wires, that conducts electricity, consisting of a power supply, load, and conducting path.

Power Supply

The component in a circuit that provides electrical energy.

Load

The part of an electric circuit where electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as light, heat, or sound.

Conducting Path

Wires in a circuit that allow electric charge to flow around.

Electrical Conductor

Materials that allow electricity to flow easily, such as most metals.

Electrical Insulator

Materials that resist the flow of electricity, such as most non-metals.

Cell

A single electrochemical unit that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Battery

A collection of cells connected together to provide higher voltage, such as a 9V battery containing six 1.5V cells.

Current

The rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor, measured in Amperes (A).

Voltage (Potential Difference)

The difference in electrical energy stored between two locations, measured in Volts (V).

Conventional Current

The flow of electric current in a circuit from the positive to the negative terminal, opposite to electron flow.

Ohm's Law

Voltage is proportional to current in a circuit, expressed as V ∝ I.

Ammeter

An instrument used to measure electric current, connected in series in a circuit.

Voltmeter

An instrument used to measure voltage, connected in parallel across the device being measured.

Electric Charge (Q)

A fundamental property of matter, existing as positive (protons) and negative (electrons) charges, measured in Coulombs (C).