1. Capacitors, Ammeters, & Voltmeters

2. Capacitors ◊ ◊ Capacitors store electrical potential energy by creating a separation of charge, usually on two parallel plates Positive battery terminal pulls electrons from one plate and pushes them through the terminal to the opposite plate. Process continues until the ΔV of the plates = ΔV of the battery - - - - - - - - - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + ◊ ◊ Capacitors are useful b/c they act like a temporary battery, but can discharge potential more quickly than a battery ◊ ◊ Examples: flash in a camera, amplifier in car audio system, detonator, particle accelerator Found in nearly all electronics! ◊

3. In practical use, we need to be able to measure currents through components and voltages across various components in electrical circuits. To do this, we use AMMETERS and VOLTMETERS. Ammeters and voltmeters

4. An ammeter – measures current passing through it is always connected in series with a component we want to measure in order that whatever current passes through the component also passes the ammeter. is always connected in series with a component we want to measure in order that whatever current passes through the component also passes the ammeter. has a very low resistance compared with the has a very low resistance compared with the resistance of the circuit so that it will not alter the current the current being measured. would ideally have no resistance with no potential would ideally have no resistance with no potential difference across it so no energy would be dissipated in it.

5. A voltmeter – measures voltage drop between two points is always connected across a device (in parallel). is always connected across a device (in parallel). has a very high resistance so that it takes very little has a very high resistance so that it takes very little current from the device whose potential difference is being measured. an ideal voltmeter would have infinite resistance with an ideal voltmeter would have infinite resistance with no current passing through it and no energy would be dissipated in it.

6. Why should an ammeter have very low resistance? Why should a voltmeter have very high resistance?

7. Why should an ammeter have very low resistance? - any resistance it has will lower the current (I = V/R), which is what you are trying to measure Why should a voltmeter have very high resistance? - so draws very LITTLE current, which would affect the voltage drop (V = IR)

8. How are ammeters connected to a circuit and why? How are voltmeters connected to a circuit and why?

9. How are ammeters connected to a circuit and why? - series, so that it can measure the current that passes through a point. How are voltmeters connected to a circuit and why? - parallel, to measure change in voltage across two points.