current and potential energy

• Current


  The amount of charge that flows every second
• Ammeter


  A device used to measure current
• Ammeter


  • It should be placed in the same loop as the component you want to measure
  • It is connected in series with the component
• Measuring current with an ammeter

  1. Place the ammeter in the same loop as the component

  2. The ammeter is connected in series with the component
• Potential difference


  The push that makes the charge flow, also known as voltage
• Voltmeter


  A device used to measure potential difference
• Voltmeter


  • It is connected with two wires, one either side of the component
  • It is connected parallel to the component
• Measuring potential difference with a voltmeter

  1. Connect the voltmeter with two wires, one either side of the component

  2. The voltmeter is connected parallel to the component
• Potential difference is a measure of how much energy the charge transfers to the component
• You cannot put the voltmeter in the same loop as the component, that will not work
• The units for current are amperes or amps, and the units for potential difference are volts