Electricity

Standifer
Spring 2014
Charges
Atoms contain particles called protons,
neutrons, and electrons.

Protons (+)
Electrons (-)
Neutrons (0)

Charges & Forces
Electric Charge a property that
causes subatomic particles to
attract(unlike charges) or repel
each other(like charges)

Electric Forces the force of
attraction or repulsion between
electrically charged objects
(depends on distance)
Charging Objects
Rubbing two materials together can result in a
transfer of electrons.
Then one material is left with a positive
charge and the other with an equal number of
negative charge.
The process of transferring charge by touching
or rubbing is called charging by contact.
Charging Objects
Conduction the contact of a charged object
to a neutral object.
Friction when two objects are rubbed
together, one becoming negatively charged
and the other becomes positively charged.
Induction - A method used to charge an object
without actually touching the object to any
other charged object.

Charging Objects
Law of Conservation of Charge charge
cannot be created or destroyed only
transferred.
The accumulation of excess electric charge on
an object is called static electricity.


Conductors
A material in which electrons are able to move
easily is a conductor.
Metals are the best electrical conductors
because they have freely moving electrons.


Insulators
A material in which electrons are not able to
move easily is an insulator.
Plastic, rubber, and glass are good insulators
because they hold onto their electrons tightly.

Electricity
Electric Current the continuous flow of
electric charge (Measured in Amps (A))
Electrons in metals are in constant motion in
all directions.
When an electric current flows in the wire,
electrons continue their random movement,
but they also drift in the direction that the
current flows.


Circuit
A circuit is a closed path
through which electrons
can flow

Circuits
Scientist usually draw electric circuits using symbols
Circuits
A - battery C - light bulb
B - switch D - resistor
Circuits
A closed (on) switch means that the circuit
through the switch is connected, this is called
a closet circuit.
A broken wire or an off switch both leave
gaps in a circuit this is called an open circuit.
Electricity
An electric field surrounds every electric
charge and exerts the force that causes other
electric charges to be attracted or repelled.
Any charge that is placed in an electric field
will be pushed or pulled by the field.


Voltage
Voltage
causes current to flow through an
electrical circuit
measured in volts - V
A Voltage Source (battery or generator) is
required to maintain the electrical potential in
a circuit.


Resistance
Resistance
opposition the flow of electrons
electrical energy is converted to thermal
energy & light
measured in ohms ()

Copper - low resistance Tungsten - high resistance
Resistance
Resistance depends on the conductor (wire)
thickness - less resistance in thicker wires
temp - less resistance at low temps
length - less resistance in shorter wires


Circuits
Series Circuit
current travels in a single path
one break stops the flow of current
current is the same throughout circuit
lights are equal brightness
each device receives a fraction of the total
voltage
get dimmer as lights are added

Circuits
Parallel Circuits
current travels in multiple paths
one break doesnt stop flow
current varies in different branches
takes path of least resistance
bigger light would be dimmer
each device receives the total voltage
no change when lights are added
Circuits
Safety Features:
fuse - metal melts, breaking circuit
circuit breaker - bimetallic strip bends
when hot, breaking circuit

I
V
R
Voltage
Ohms Law
V = IR
V Volts (V)
I Current (amps, A)
R Ohms ()
If voltage remains constant: current &
resistance are inversely proportional

Voltage
Practice Ohms Law
1. What is the voltage if the resistance is 3 ohms
and the current is 3 amps?
V = IR
R = 3 ohms
I = 3 amps
V = 9 volts
Voltage
2. A light bulb with a resistance of 160 ohms is
plugged into a 120-V outlet. What is the
current flowing through the bulb?
V = 120 volts
R = 160 ohms
I = V/R
I = 0.75 A

Voltage
3. What voltage produces a current of 200 amps
with a resistance of 20 ohms?
4. What is the resistance of a lamp operating at
100 volts and using 0.5 amps of current?
5. How much current is used when a 10 ohm
heater is connected to a 120 volt source?
6. What is the voltage if the resistance is 6 ohms
and the current is 5 amps?

4000 V
200
12 A
30 V
Power
Electrical Power rate at which electrical energy
is converted to another form of energy.
I
P
V
P = IV
P = power (W)
I = Current (A)
V = potential difference (V)
Power
Electrical Power Practice
1. A calculator has a 0.01-A current flowing
through it. It operates with a potential
difference of 9 V. How much power does it
use?
I = 0.01 A
V = 9V
P = 0.09 W

Power
2. How much power does a 27 A clothes dryer use
if it is connected to a 240 V electrical source?
3. If you use 20 kilowatt-hours of electric energy to
operate an appliance for 2.0 hours, how much
electrical power do you use?
4. A power tool used about 12 amperes of current
and has a power rating of 1440 watts. What
voltage does the tool require?
5. A stereo receiver used a current of 2.2 amps
from a 120 volt line. What is its power?

6480 W
10 kW
120 V
264 W