Notebook #4

Electrical Circuits
Term

Electrical circuit
Battery
Generator
Solar converter
Atomic reactor

Direct current (DC)

Alternating current (AC)

Current
Potential difference

Resistance

Ohms Law

Power

Power loss formula

Series circuit

Parallel circuit

Definition
Pathway that permits electrons to move in a complete circle from their source,
through resisting electrical devices and back to the source
Source of excess electrons necessary to cause current flow; converts chemical
energy to electrical
Source of excess electrons necessary to cause current flow; converts mechanical
energy to electrical
Source of excess electrons necessary to cause current flow; converts solar
photons to electrical energy
Source of excess electrons necessary to cause current flow; converts nuclear
energy to electrical

Symbol

Direction of travel of electrons all moving in the same direction

Direction of travel of electrons moving first in one direction and then reversing
and moving in the opposite direction
The quantity of electrons flowing; measured by the ampere (amp); one coulomb
of electrical charge flowing per second; describes the presence of electron flow
as well as exactly how much current is flowing
Describes the force or strength of electron flow; function of the difference
between the number of electrons in excess at one end of circuit and the
deficiency at the other end; also known as electromotive force (emf) or voltage;
measured by the volt; one joule of work done on one coulomb of charge
The amount of opposition to the current in the circuit; measured by the ohm;
the resistance to a flow of current provided by a column of mercury 106.3 cm
long with a diameter of 1 mm2 at 0C; affected by the ability to conduct
electrons, length of conductor, cross-sectional diameter of conductor, and
temperature
Describes the relationship between current and potential difference as the
current along a conductor is proportional to the potential difference;
V = IR
V = potential difference (volts)
I = current (amps)
R = resistance (ohms)
The total amount of energy available in the circuit; measured by the watt; one
ampere flowing through one volt;
P = IV
P = power (watts)
I = current (amps)
V = potential difference (volts)
Power loss from current heat is proportional to the resistance, and heat power
loss increases very rapidly with current increase;
P = I2R
P = power (watts)
I = current (amps)
R = resistance (ohms)
Electric circuit designed to send electrons through various resistance devices by
linking them one after the other;
(Current) It = I1 = I2 = I3
(Voltage) Vt = V1 + V2 + V3
(Resistance) Rt = R1 + R2 + R3
Electric circuit designed to send electrons through various resistance devices by
giving each component an individual branch;
(Current) It = I1 + I2 + I3
(Voltage) Vt = V1 = V2 = V3
(Resistance) 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

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Notebook #4
Circuit breaker
Fuse

Potentiometer / Rheostat
Capacitor
Diode

Switch
Transformer

Protective device that permits the breaking of the circuit before a dangerous
temperature is reached by popping open; can be reset
Protective device that permits the breaking of the circuit before a dangerous
temperature is reached by melting; must be replaced
Variable resistor that permits a variable contact to slide along a series circuit of
resistance coils; cause significant energy waste in heat
Temporarily stores electrical charge (does not produce new electrons)

Also known as solid-state rectifier; allows electrons to flow in one direction

Device that opens and closes electrical circuit

Device that increases and decreases voltage in an electrical circuit