Electrical Energy

Electrical Circuits

The pathway travelled by electrical energy is called an electric circuit. As negatively charged electrons move around an electric circuit, they carry electrical energy from the energy source, to a device using the energy. The components of an electric circuit are a power source, the wires and a load or a component such as a resistor. Electrons need a component to transfer their energy to, otherwise it turns into heat.

Circuit Diagram

When components are connected in a lone or roe, it is called a series circuit. When a circuit has more than one pathway for electrons to travel it is called a parallel circuit. Electrons transfer their energy differently in series and parallel circuits.

Cell- Power source

Ammeter- A device measuring the current or flow through the circuit. It counts electrons in packets called coulombs.

Voltmeter- A device measuring the voltage which is the amount of energy the electrons are transferring to the components.

Transistors and integrated circuits

A transistor has two main functions, acting as a switch by controlling the functions of electronic circuits, and secondly, acting as an amplifier. When a small current flows into a transistor, it amplifies it to produce a larger current.