Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident
All Flashcards
What is a resistor?
A component that limits the flow of charge in a circuit.
What is a capacitor?
A component that stores electrical charge.
What is an ammeter?
A device used to measure the current flowing through a circuit.
What is a voltmeter?
A device used to measure the potential difference (voltage) across a component in a circuit.
What is a short circuit?
A low-resistance path in a circuit that causes very high current flow, potentially damaging components.
Define the time constant (\(\tau\)) in an RC circuit.
The time constant \(\tau\) is the time it takes for a capacitor to charge to approximately 63% of its maximum charge or discharge to approximately 37% of its initial charge. It is given by \(\tau = RC\).
What happens when a circuit has a short circuit?
A low-resistance path causes very high current flow, potentially damaging components and causing overheating or fire.
What is the effect of increasing the resistance in a circuit?
Increasing the resistance limits the flow of charge, reducing the current in the circuit.
What is the effect of increasing the capacitance in an RC circuit?
Increasing the capacitance increases the time constant (\(\tau = RC\)), causing the capacitor to charge or discharge more slowly.
What happens when the switch is closed in a circuit with a discharging capacitor?
The capacitor starts to discharge, and the charge and current in the circuit decrease exponentially over time.
What happens to the current at a junction in a multi-loop circuit?
The total current entering the junction equals the total current leaving it (Kirchhoff's Junction Rule).
What is the difference between series and parallel connections in a circuit?
Series: Components are end-to-end; the same current flows through each. Parallel: Components are side-by-side; the same potential difference is across each.
Compare and contrast open and closed circuits.
Closed circuit: Allows continuous current flow. Open circuit: Has a break, preventing current flow.
Differentiate between conventional current and electron flow.
Conventional Current: Flow of positive charge from positive to negative terminal. Electron Flow: Actual flow of electrons from negative to positive terminal.