1. Physical science notes
Electricity
Physical science notes

2. How is Electricity Made?
Electricity is created when a wire cuts lines of force of a magnetic field.

3. What is Electricity ? Electricity is the flow of Electrons.
Charge = The amount of electric energy each electron has. ( x 10-19)
Conventional Current – is the rate of flow of positive charge.
Current is the rate of flow of charge measured in Amps( 1 Amp = 1couloumb/second)
Potential Difference – this is the amount of energy given to each electron measured in volts (Joules/coulomb).
Resistance – this is the resistance to the flow of current in a material measured in Ohms (Ω).

4. What makes up an Atom?
Protons = Positively Charged particles that are found in the nucleus. They have the same charge as an electron but their charge is positive.
Neutrons = Neutral charge, also found in the nucleus.
Electrons = Much smaller than protons and neutrons, but have an equal negative charge to that of the protons. They are found orbiting the nucleus of the atom.

5. Insulators and Conductors
Insulators are materials that have electrons that are closely held onto the atoms and therefore resist the flow of current.
Insulators have a high resistance, therefore are known as resistors.
Conductors have electrons that have electrons that are loosely held onto the atoms and therefore allow the flow of current.
Conductors have little to no resistance.

6. Circuits
A complete circuit is one where the electrons flow from the source, usually the battery, to the load, usually the bulb or machine, and back to the source (battery).
Current does NOT flow in an incomplete circuit!!!! Unless there is a pathway for the electrons to return to the battery, the circuit will not function.
Compare the two circuits below

7. Series vs Parallel Circuits
A series circuit has just one pathway from the battery through the circuit back to the battery.
A parallel circuit has multiple pathways from the battery through the circuit back to the battery.

8. Parallel vs Series Circuits
Multiple pathways for current to flow through
Voltage is the same in all parts of the circuits
Current is shared, the largest current goes through the pathway with the least resistance. All the currents added up equal the current coming from the battery.
If one of the pathways if broken, current can continue to flow because current can still return to the battery through another pathway.
To get the total resistance you have to add the resistors but the reciprocals.
Only one pathway for current to flow through
Voltage is split. The biggest voltage goes through the largest resistor
Resistors are simply added up
Current is the same in all parts
Voltages are added up ( like batteries)
If circuit is broken current will not flow

9. Understanding Circuit Diagrams

10. Example
Description with Words: Three D-cells are placed in a battery pack to power a circuit containing three light bulbs.