All Flashcards
How do you calculate total resistance in series?
Sum the individual resistances:
How do you calculate total resistance in parallel?
Use the reciprocal formula:
How do you find the terminal voltage of a real battery?
Use the equation: , where ε is the EMF, I is the current, and r is the internal resistance.
What is a circuit?
A closed loop that allows electrical current to flow.
What is an open circuit?
A circuit with a break in the closed loop, preventing current flow.
Define Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL).
The sum of all voltage drops and rises around any closed loop in a circuit must equal zero.
Define Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL).
The total current entering a junction must equal the total current leaving the junction.
What is resistivity?
A material's property that describes how much it resists the flow of current, represented by ρ.
What is Electromotive Force (EMF)?
The total energy a battery can provide to a charge; the voltage when no current is drawn.
What is the difference between series and parallel circuits?
Series: Components connected end-to-end, single path for current. Parallel: Components connected side-by-side, multiple paths for current.
What is the difference between an ideal and a real battery?
Ideal: No internal resistance. Real: Has internal resistance that affects terminal voltage.
What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?
Resistance (R) depends on the object's dimensions. Resistivity (ρ) is a material property.
What is the difference between Voltmeter and Ammeter?
Voltmeter: Measures voltage, connected in parallel with high internal resistance. Ammeter: Measures current, connected in series with low internal resistance.