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?

  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?

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

  Voltage
• How is potential difference measured?

  In volts
• What does resistance do in a circuit?

  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 is the convention for current flow in a circuit?

  Current flows from positive to negative
• What is the longer line in a cell symbol?

  The positive terminal
• What is the shorter line in a cell symbol?

  The negative terminal
• Why do we call the flow of current from positive to negative conventional current?

  It was established before understanding electron flow
• What are the key terms related to circuits?

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

  • Power source (cell or battery)
  • Conductive path (wire)
  • Load (like a filament lamp)
  • Switch
• How do you draw a complex circuit using symbols?

  • Use standard symbols for components
  • Arrange them to represent connections
  • Follow conventions for positive and negative terminals