1. Mrs. Cockrell PAP Physics
Electric Circuits
Mrs. Cockrell
PAP Physics

2. Electric Current Flow of electrical charge
The rate at which electric charges move through a given area.
Formula
I = q/t
I = current (A)
q = charge (C)
t = time (s)

3. DC vs AC Direct Current (DC) Alternating Current (AC)
All charges move in one direction from an area of high potential to an area of low potential
Alternating Current (AC)
Charges move back and forth generating a flow of charge

4. Conventional Current vs Flow of Electrons
Conventional Current – Flow of positive charges
Flow of electrons – Movement of electrons
They are opposite directions of each other

5. Sources of Current
Battery – Uses chemical energy to generate DC current
Photovoltaic Cell (Solar Cell) – Converts sunlight into DC current
An inverter changes it to AC
Generators – Converts kinetic energy into AC.

6. Potential Difference Caused by a separation of opposite charges
Often times called Voltage or electric potential

7. Resistance The opposition to electron flow through a conductor
Resistance is affected by length, area, type of material, and temperature

8. Ohm’s Law Formula Example V = IR
V = Potential Difference (V)
I = Current (Amperes or Amps)
R = Resistance (Ohm’s or Ω)
Example
A 1.5 V battery is connected to a small light bulb with a resistance of 3.5Ω. What is the current in the bulb?

9. Kilowatt-Hour How electric companies charge for service.
You pay for energy used, not power.
1KW-Hr = 3.6 x 106 J
Example:
A television set draws 2.0 A when operated on 120 V. (A) How much power does the set use? (B) If the set is operated for an average of 7.0 h/day, what energy in kWh does it consume per month? (30 days) (C) At 11 cents per kWh, what is the cost to operate the set per month?

10. Electric Circuits
Set of electrical components connected so that they provide one or more complete paths for the movement of charges
Closed circuit – complete path, one in which electrons are free to move
Open circuit – not a complete path
Light Bulbs contain a complete conducting path

11. Diagramming a circuit Wire or Conductor Resistor Bulb or Lamp
Schematic Diagram
Graphical representation of an electrical circuit
Wire or Conductor
Resistor
Bulb or Lamp
Plug
Battery
Switch
Capacitor

12. Examples
Draw a schematic diagram of two resistors connect in a line with a battery.

13. Series Circuit
A circuit or portion of a circuit that provides a single conducting path without junctions
Current through each resistor is the same but varying potential difference
Total Resistance (Equivalent Resistance) – sum of all resistances
Sum of the voltages = total voltage
All elements must be present to get electron flow

14. Example
A 9.0V battery is connected to four light bulbs in series of resistances 2Ω, 4Ω, 5 Ω, and 7 Ω. Draw the schematic diagram and calculate the equivalent resistance and current in the circuit.

15. Parallel Circuits
Two or more components in a circuit that are connected across common points or junctions, providing separate paths for the current.
Resistors have the same potential difference but varying currents
Sum of the currents = total current
Equivalent Resistance is calculated by using the reciprocal relationship
Not all elements must be present in order to operate

16. Example
A 9V battery is connected to four resistors in parallel with the following resistances. 7 Ω, 5 Ω, 4 Ω, and 2 Ω. Draw the schematic diagram and find the equivalent resistance for the circuit and the total current in the circuit.

17. Complex Circuits
When wiring a home or building complex circuits are used.
Circuit breakers and fuses are placed in the circuits that open when the current becomes too high.
To calculate equivalent resistance, simplify the circuit into groups of series and complex circuits
Then find equivalent resistances of each group
Then work backwards to determine potential difference and current
Mrs. Cockrell sample problem

18. Example
A circuit is assembled such that a 6 ohm and 2 ohm in series with each other is in parallel with a 4 ohm resistor. This entire group is in series with a 3 ohm resistor and a 6 ohm resistor. Following the series/parallel group is a 1 ohm resistor. All attached to a 9V battery. Determine the current in and potential difference across the 2 ohm resistor.

19. Power The rate at which energy is transferred. Example: P=IV
P = Power (W)
I = Current (A)
V = Electric Potential (V)
Example:
A 6.0V battery delivers a 0.50 A current to an electric motor that is connected across its terminals. (A) what is the power of the motor? (B) If the motor runs for 5.0 minutes, how much energy is delivered?