Electricity and Electric Circuits Science 9
Basic Electric Circuit There are four components of an electric circuit: The source of the electrical energy (dry cell) The control device (switch) The electric load (light bulb) Connecting wires (electrical conductors)
How does electricity move? Electrical energy is transferred by the movement of electric charge The movement, or flow, of electric charges from one place to another is called an electric current The amount of electric current is controlled in a pathway called an electric circuit Circuits allow us to convert electrical energy into other forms of energy
The Parts of an Electric Circuit 1. Source of Electric Energy Photoelectric cells, cells and batteries, generators and wall outlets 2. Electric Load - Anything that converts electrical energy into usable energy 3. Electric Current Control Device - switches; many operate automatically 4. Connectors - Conducting wires, or connectors that provide a controlled path for electric current to flow to each part of the circuit
Electric Circuit Diagrams and Symbols A special set of symbols is used to illustrate the drawing of electric cicruits These drawings are called schematic circuit diagrams