What is the charge of neutrons?
No charge (neutral)
What is the charge of protons?
Positive charge
What is the charge of electrons?
Negative charge in orbital shell
What surrounds metal atoms like copper?
A sea of free electrons which move between atoms in different directions.
What happens to free electrons when voltage is supplied?
They move away from the negative region towards the positive region.
What are conductors?
Materials (usually solid metals) that allow electricity to flow through with low resistance.
What are insulators?
Materials (usually solid non-metals) that do not allow electricity to flow through due to high resistance.
What is an electric circuit?
A path through which electricity travels, requiring a power/energy source.
What is required for electricity to flow in a circuit?
A completely unbroken path.
What does a circuit consist of?
Many components, each represented by different symbols in a circuit diagram.
What are the rules for drawing circuit diagrams?
Each component has its own symbol, wires connect components, must be drawn with straight lines, and wires should never cross.
What defines a series circuit?
All components are connected to form a single loop with the same current flowing through them.
What happens to voltage in a series circuit?
The supply voltage is split between the components.
What is a disadvantage of series circuits?
Globes cannot be controlled individually and current stops if any globe ‘blows’.
What defines a parallel circuit?
Has multiple branches with each branch having its own components and path for current.
What happens to voltage in a parallel circuit?
Both components receive the same voltage.
What is an advantage of parallel circuits?
Each branch has its own switch, allowing independent control of components.
What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?
Series circuits have the same current but split voltage; parallel circuits have the same voltage but split current.
What is current?
The rate at which electrons flow through a circuit, measured in amperes (A).
What instrument measures electric current?
An ammeter.
How must an ammeter be connected?
In series with the circuit’s components.
What is voltage?
The difference in electrical potential energy between two points, measured in volts (V).
What instrument measures electric voltage?
A voltmeter.
How must a voltmeter be connected?
In parallel with the circuit’s components.
