Electricity and Gravity Lecture Review

Flashcards containing questions and answers about Electricity and Gravity.

What happens to the gravitational force if the mass of one or both objects increases?

The gravitational force will increase.

What happens to the electrical force if the charge of one or both objects increases?

The electrical force will increase.

What happens to the gravitational or electrical force if the two objects are moved away from each other?

The force will decrease.

If you were in orbit around the Earth, what would happen to your mass and weight?

Your mass would be constant, but your weight would change due to the change in the gravitational force.

What are subatomic particles with a negative and positive charge called?

Negative: electrons; Positive: protons

What makes a neutral object neutral?

It has an equal number of protons and electrons.

How do objects become electrically charged?

By gaining or losing electrons.

What are charged atoms called?

Ions

If you comb your hair and the comb becomes negatively charged, what charge does your hair have?

Positively charged

What are the subatomic particles that can move freely within some materials?

Electrons

What are materials that subatomic particles can move freely in called?

Conductors

What is an ampere a unit of?

Current (I)

What is a volt a unit of?

Voltage

What is an ohm a unit of?

Resistance

What are watts and kilowatts units of?

Power

What is the kilowatt-hour a unit of?

Energy

What is the voltage of electrical outlets in homes?

120 V

What happens to the electrical resistance of a metal as its temperature increases?

It increases.

How does the electrical resistance of a thick wire compare to a thin wire?

It is less.

What is the outside of an electrical appliance connected to in order to prevent shocks?

Reground

What type of current do batteries produce?

Direct current

What is a similarity and a difference between Gravitational and Electrical forces?

Similarity: Both rely on distance; Difference: Gravity only pulls while electric can pull and push

What kind(s) of charges must two objects have if there is a repelling force between them?

Both objects must have either positive charges or negative charges.

What is the difference between an insulator and a conductor?

Insulators don't allow for easy flow of heat/charge, while conductors do.

Explain why a rubber balloon that is rubbed against a sweater can then stick to the wall.

Negative charges move from the sweater to the balloon. The negatives in the wall retract away from the surface, so the surface is positive.

How does the mass of a proton compare to the mass of an electron? How do their charges compare?

A proton is 2000 times heavier than an electron. Proton is (+) and electron is (-).

What part of an atom must change to gain or lose charge?

The electrons.

What must exist in order for there to be a flow of charge from one place to another?

A closed circuit and potential difference (voltage).

What are two examples of voltage sources? Which one produces direct or alternating current?

Battery (direct current) and Wall outlet (alternating current).

What is Ohm's Law?

It explains how voltage, current, and resistance are related in a circuit (V=IR).

What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?

Series has one path and Parallel has multipath

What is the pattern for how Voltage, Current, and Resistance combine in SERIES circuits?

Voltage is greater, Current is same, and Resistance is greater

What is the pattern for how Voltage, Current, and Resistance combine in PARALLEL circuits?

Voltage is Same, Current is greater, and Resistance is less

Explain one reason we know houses are wired in parallel circuits and not in series circuits.

Because when you turn off a light in your house, everything doesn't poweroff or get lighter