Electrical Circuits and Measurements

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to electrical circuits, measurements, and laws governing electrical flow.

Electric Circuit

A path through which electric current flows.

Electromotive Force (f.é.m)

The energy provided per coulomb of charge by a source of electrical energy.

Voltmeter

An instrument used to measure the electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit.

Ammeter

An instrument used to measure the electric current in a circuit.

Ohmmeter

An instrument used to measure the resistance of a component.

Series Circuit

A circuit in which components are connected end-to-end so that the current flows through each component in turn.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit in which components are connected across common points or junctions, resulting in multiple paths for current.

Kirchhoff's Law of Nodes

The principle that the total current entering a junction must equal the total current leaving the junction.

Kirchhoff's Law of Loops

The principle that the sum of the electrical potential differences (voltage) around any closed loop in a circuit must be zero.

Capacitance

The ability of a system to store charge per unit voltage.

Current (I)

The flow of electric charge in a circuit.

Potential Difference (ΔV)

The difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit.

Internal Resistance

The resistance within a source of voltage, which causes a drop in voltage when current flows.

Charging a Capacitor

The process of storing energy in a capacitor by accumulating charge on its plates.

Discharging a Capacitor

The process of releasing stored energy from a capacitor into a circuit.

Time Constant (τ)

The time required for the current or charge in a capacitor to rise to approximately 63% of its maximum value or to fall to about 37% of its maximum value after a change.

Short Circuit

A connection that allows current to take an unintended path, often causing excessive current flow.

Energy Conservation in Circuits

The principle that energy supplied by sources is equal to the energy dissipated in resistors within a closed loop.