Physics and Math - Circuits

MCAT Chapter 6

Circuits

flow of positive charge

Conductance

Reciprocal of resistance

Metallic bond

sea of electrons flowing over and past a rigid lattice of metal cations

Directing current

change flows in one direction only

alternating current

flow changes direction periodically

Potential difference

produced by an electrical generator

Electromotive force

the voltage when no charge is moving between two terminals of a cell that are different potential values

Resistance

the opposition within any material to the movement and flow fo charge

Resisivity

nunber characterizes the intrinsic resistance to current flow in a material

Series

all current must pass sequential through each resistor connected in a linear arrangement

Parallel

current will divide pass through resistors separately

Resultant Resistance

set of resistors wired in series can be treated as single resistor with a resistance equal to the sum of individual resistors

Ohm’s Law

basic law of electricity because it states that for a given magnitude of resistance, the voltage drop across resistor will be proportional to magnitude of current

Capacitors

ability to hold charge at particular voltage

Capacitance

Ratio of magnitude of charge stored on one plate to potential difference across the capacitor

Ammeter

measures current, placement in series with point of interest and ideal resistance is 0

Voltmeter

measures potential difference placement parallel with circuit element of interest and ideal resistance is infinity

Ohmmeter

measures resistance with placement two point in series with circuit element of interest and ideal resistance 0