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This chapter introduces the fundamentals of electricity, highlighting key concepts like electric current, voltage, and resistance. Electricity arises from the flow of electrons, with current measured in amperes, indicating how quickly charges move. Voltage represents potential energy, driving electrons from negative to positive terminals. Resistance, measured in ohms, opposes this flow. Understanding the differences between conductors and insulators is crucial for grasping how circuits function, including closed, open, series, and parallel configurations.
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Electricity Physical Science Chapter 16
Electricity Basics • Electricity is caused by the flow (or net movement) of Electrons • Electric Current – the rate that positive charges flow in a circuit • Actually a measure of the rate that negatively charged electrons move • Electrons Will Move From Higher To Lower Potential
Electric Current • Measured in Amperes (A) • Ampere = 1 Coulomb of charge per second • Voltage or Potential Difference – measure of potential energy (in Joules) • Voltage occurs across the two terminals of a battery and range from 1.5 V for a small battery to 12 V for a car battery • Voltage sets charge in motion • Electrons move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal
Resistance • Resistors oppose the rate of charge flow in the circuit • Caused by internal friction • The resistance of the filament of a light bulb determines how bright the bulb is • Example: 4o Watt bulb has a higher resistance than a 100 Watt bulb • Resistance = Voltage / Current • Unit - Ohms
Conductors vs. Insulators • Conductors – allow electrons to flow easily • Contain a lot of free electrons • Offer Little Resistance To Current Flow • Good Conductors • Metals (copper, gold, silver, aluminum) • Electrolyte Solutions • Insulators – do not allow electrons to flow easily or at all • Contain Few Free Electrons • Insulator Materials • Air, Wood, Glass
Relationship of Current to Potential Difference • As Current Increases – Potential Difference (Volts) Increase • As Current Increases – Resistance Decreases
Circuits • Circuit – bulb, battery, and wires • Closed Circuit – completed path – electricity flows • Open Circuit – not a complete path – no current • Parallel Circuit – multiple path for a circuit • Series Circuit – one path for a circuit