All Flashcards
Define electric charge.
A fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field.
What is electric potential (V)?
The potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field, measured in volts (V).
Define capacitance (C).
The ability of a capacitor to store charge, measured in farads (F).
What is electric current (I)?
The rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A).
Define resistance (R).
The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).
What is a magnetic field (B)?
A region of space where a magnetic force can be detected, measured in teslas (T).
Define magnetic flux (Φ).
A measure of the total magnetic field passing through a given area.
Compare and contrast electric potential and electric potential energy.
Electric Potential: Potential energy per unit charge (V = U/q). Scalar quantity. | Electric Potential Energy: Energy a charge possesses due to its position in an electric field (U = qV). Scalar quantity.
What are the key differences between series and parallel circuits?
Series: Components connected end-to-end; same current through each; total resistance is the sum of individual resistances. | Parallel: Components connected side-by-side; same voltage across each; reciprocal of total resistance is the sum of reciprocals of individual resistances.
Compare and contrast step-up and step-down transformers.
Step-Up Transformer: Increases voltage; N_s > N_p. | Step-Down Transformer: Decreases voltage; N_s < N_p.
Differentiate between electric force and electric field.
Electric Force: The force exerted on a charge due to an electric field (F = qE). Vector quantity. | Electric Field: The force per unit charge at a point in space (E = F/q). Vector quantity.
Compare and contrast conventional current and electron flow.
Conventional Current: Defined as the direction positive charges would flow. | Electron Flow: The actual movement of electrons, which is opposite to the direction of conventional current.
What is the effect of increasing the distance between two charges on the electric force between them?
The electric force decreases according to Coulomb's Law (inverse square relationship).
What happens when a dielectric material is inserted between the plates of a capacitor?
The capacitance increases.
What is the effect of increasing the area of the plates of a parallel plate capacitor?
The capacitance increases.
What happens when a changing magnetic field passes through a loop of wire?
An electromotive force (EMF) is induced in the loop, according to Faraday's Law.
What is the effect of increasing the number of turns in the secondary coil of a transformer?
The voltage in the secondary coil increases (if it's a step-up transformer) or decreases (if it's a step-down transformer), according to the turns ratio.
What happens when current flows through a wire?
A magnetic field is created around the wire.