All Flashcards
What happens if there is a break in a circuit?
The circuit becomes an open circuit, and current stops flowing.
What is the effect of increasing the temperature on the resistivity of most materials?
Resistivity generally increases with temperature.
What happens to the terminal voltage of a real battery as the current drawn from it increases?
The terminal voltage decreases due to the increased voltage drop across the internal resistance.
What happens to the equivalent resistance when adding resistors in series?
The total resistance increases.
What happens to the equivalent resistance when adding resistors in parallel?
The total resistance decreases.
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 are the key differences between series and parallel circuits?
Series: Single path for current, current is the same through all components, total resistance increases. Parallel: Multiple paths for current, voltage is the same across all components, total resistance decreases.
Compare and contrast an ideal vs. a real battery.
Ideal: No internal resistance, terminal voltage equals EMF. Real: Has internal resistance, terminal voltage is less than EMF when current flows.
Differentiate between resistance (R) and resistivity (ρ).
Resistance: Depends on the material's resistivity and dimensions (length and area). Resistivity: A material property that describes how much it resists the flow of current.
Compare how ammeters and voltmeters are connected in a circuit.
Ammeters: Connected in series, low internal resistance. Voltmeters: Connected in parallel, high internal resistance.