Intro to circuits

• What are the main components of an electrical circuit?

  A power source and a conductor for electrons to flow through
• What is the purpose of circuit diagrams?

  To represent electrical circuits using symbols for different components
• What is the symbol for a cell in a circuit diagram?

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

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

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

  Current continues to flow around the circuit
• What happens when a switch in a circuit is opened?

  The circuit is disrupted and the light turns off
• What are the key terms related to electrical circuits that need to be understood?

  Potential difference, current, and resistance
• What does current (I) measure in a circuit?

  The flow of electrons around the circuit
• In what unit is current measured?

  Amperes (amps)
• What is potential difference (V) in a circuit?

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

  Voltage
• In what unit is potential difference measured?

  Volts
• What does resistance (R) represent in a circuit?

  Everything that resists or opposes the flow of electrons
• In what unit is resistance measured?

  Ohms
• How do electrons flow in a circuit?

  From the negative terminal to the positive terminal
• What is the convention regarding current flow in a circuit?

  Current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal
• Why do we still use the convention of current flowing from positive to negative?

  Because it was established before the discovery of electron flow
• What is the relationship between cells and batteries in terms of circuit function?

  Cells and batteries act in the same way in a circuit
• What is the role of a power source in a circuit?

  To provide the potential difference that drives the flow of electrons