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Electric Current
Term | Definition |
---|---|
3 components of a circuit | 1. voltage difference (battery, outlet) 2. device (i.e. lightbulb, appliance) 3. conductors (wires) |
amperes | what electric current is measured in |
charge flow | electric charges flow from higher voltage to lower voltage |
circuit | a closed path that electric current follows |
current | the net movement of electric charges in a single direction |
Ohm's Law | current (I) in a circuit equals the voltage difference (V) divided by the resistance (R) I= V/R |
ohms | what resistance is measured in |
open circuit | when any part of a series circuit is disconnected, no current flows through the circuit |
parallel circuit | circuit that contains two or more branches for current to move through |
resistance | the tendency for a material to oppose the flow of electrons, changing electrical energy into thermal energy and light |
series circuit | circuit that contains only one loop to flow through |
simple electric circuit | closed path contains a source of voltage difference, a device, and conductors |
volt | what voltage difference is measured in |
voltage difference | -the force that causes electric charges to flow -measured in volts |
what INCREASES resistance | when a wire is longer and thinner |