 Covers two main areas:  - Electricity  - Electronics  All appliances and electrical devices depend on electrical circuits

Electrical component are made with a particular type of material: - Semiconductor (silicon) - Conductors (metals & alloys)

 Direct current (DC): is an electric current in which the electrons are continuously moving in the same direction.  Alternating current (AC): is an electrical current in which the electrons move back and forth in a regular pattern

 Is the role that a component plays in the control or transformation of electric current.  Power supply: is the electrical function preformed by any component that can generate or provide an electric current in a circuit

 Battery: Transforms chemical energy into electrical energy  Advantages: portable, many appliances run on batteries  Disadvantages: batteries must be replaced, contaminate the environment around the landfill by leaking heavy metals

 Electrical outlet: contains contacts and is permanently connected to an electrical network  Advantages: stable and long lasting power supply  Disadvantages: hydroelectric dams cause flooding of vast areas of land. Appliances cannot be moved far from the wall outlet

 Photovoltaic cell: (solar cell) electronic device that generates an electrical current when exposed to light.  Advantages: portable, do not produce green house gases, have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.  Disadvantages: Depends on sunny conditions. Much more expensive to install than other sources of power.

 Conduction:  When a component can transmit electric current from one part of a circuit to another  Examples of conductors: copper, gold, etc...

 Insulation :  When a component prevents an electric current from flowing.  Examples of insulators: ceramic, rubber, plastic

 Fuses  A filament melts/breaks if current exceeds a certain level  Breakers  A strip becomes hot and bends if current exceeds a certain level. A switch is thrown to restore circuit operation

 Closed circuit: electric current flows in a loop  Open circuit: electric current cannot flow in a loop

 P. 479  #1 to 8, 10, 11, 13, 15

 The transformation of energy is the electrical function performed by any component that can convert electrical energy into another form of energy

 Chemical  Thermal  Mechanical  Radiation

 Incandescent light bulbs (luminous energy)  Heating elements (thermal energy)  Piezoelectric crystals (mechanical energy)  Electromagnets (magnetic energy)