Electrical Circuit Basics

Conductors- Substances that consists of atoms which have electrons that are
loosely bonded to the nucleus, this allows atoms to loose an atom and these atoms can move
around freely in the substance.

Insulators- Substances Substances that consists of atoms which have electrons that are firmly bonded to
the nucleus, electrons cannot move freely around.

Electric Charge

Electric charge is measured in coulomb C. 1 coulomb = 6.24 * 10^18 e-. The rate of 1 coulomb
per sec is the current of 1 ampere.

1 A = 1 C/s

I = electrical current in ampere; t = time; Q = charge: Q=I×t coulombs

Potential Difference and Resistance

Potential Difference and Voltage-

For electrical current to flow through 2 points of a conductor, a potential difference(p.d.) is
required between 2 points. Electric pressure(voltage V) can be applied across a material, a potential
difference is formed.
Batteries generates electric current by using chemical energy to cause a potential
difference(voltage) in the 2 terminals. Connecting the 2 terminals using a conductor would cause current
to flow from the + to the - terminal.

Resistance-
Electrical resistance R is the opposition to electric current. Resistance is measured in ohms, 1
ohm = the resistance which will have a limit of 1 ampere flowing through it when potential difference of
1 volt is applied.
Resistance is caused by the difficulty of the electron to be separated from the nucleus of an atom.
Insulators have the greatest resistance and conductors have the least resistance.

Ohm’s law:

Current I is proportional to the voltage V applied and inversely proportional to the resistance R:

I = V/R

Electrical Power
Electrical power is measured in watts, W. It can be calculated by multiplying the voltage V with
the current I.

W=V*I
 So, according to Ohm’s Law, we have:
W = I^2 * R
W = V^2/R

Electrical Energy
Energy is measured in joules, kilowatt- hours, or watt-seconds. Electrical energy = power * time.