Intro to circuits

• What is an electrical circuit?

  A closed loop containing a power source
• What does a circuit diagram represent?

  It visually represents electrical circuits
• What is the symbol for a cell in a circuit diagram?

  A simple version of a battery
• How is a battery represented in circuit diagrams?

  As two cell symbols put together
• What is the symbol for a filament lamp?

  A small light bulb symbol
• What happens when a switch in a circuit is closed?

  Current continues flowing around the circuit
• What is current denoted by in electrical terms?


  The letter i
• How is current measured?

  In amperes, or amps
• What does potential difference represent in a circuit?

  The force driving the flow of electrons
• What is the symbol for potential difference?

  The letter v
• What is another name for potential difference?

  Voltage
• How is resistance denoted in electrical terms?


  The letter r
• What does resistance do in a circuit?

  It opposes the flow of electrons
• How is resistance measured?

  In ohms
• Which way do electrons flow in a circuit?

  From the negative terminal to the positive terminal
• What do the longer and shorter lines on a cell represent?

  Positive and negative terminals, respectively
• What is conventional current?

  Current flowing from positive to negative terminal
• What are the key terms related to circuits?

  • Potential difference
  • Current
  • Resistance
• What are the main components of a simple circuit?

  1. Power source (cell or battery)
  2. Conductive path (wire)
  3. Load (like a filament lamp)
  4. Switch (to control current flow)
• What is the relationship between current, potential difference, and resistance?

  • Current (I) is the flow of electrons
  • Potential difference (V) is the driving force
  • Resistance (R) opposes the flow
  • Ohm's Law: $V =$$I \times R$
• What are the symbols for the main components in circuit diagrams?

  • Cell: simple battery symbol
  • Battery: two cell symbols
  • Filament lamp: small light bulb symbol
  • Switch: open or closed symbol
• How does the flow of current differ from the flow of electrons?

  • Current is defined as flowing from positive to negative
  • Electrons flow from negative to positive