Physics 4 Electric Circuits

Some insulating materials become charged when rubbed together.

Electrons are transferred when objects become charged.

Polythene Rods gain electrons and becomes negatively charged.

Perspex Rods lose electrons and becomes positively charged.

Like charges repel. Unlike charges attract.

If two objects are oppositely charged, electrons in the air molecules between the two objects
experience a force towards the positive object. If the field is strong, sparking happens because some
of the electrons are pulled out of the air molecules which creates a sudden flow of electrons
between the two charged objects.

The force between two charged objects is a non-contact force.

Every Component has its own agreed symbol. A circuit diagram shows how components are
connected.

A battery consists of two or more cells.

The current travels from the positive to the negative in the circuit

The size of an electric current is the rate of flow of charge.

Charge=Current∗Time Q=¿ Coulombs=Ampers∗Seconds

Open Switch Closed Switch Lamp Cell

Battery Voltmeter Resistor Fuse

Ammeter Variable resistor Thermistor Light dependent

resistor (LDR)

Light emitting Diode

diode (LED)
Diodes allow current in only one direction which prevents components from becoming damaged.
Energy Transferred=Charge∗Voltage E=QV Joules=Coulombs∗Volts
Voltage=Current∗Resistance V =IR Volts=Ampers∗Ohms
Ohm’s law stats that current through a resistor at constant temperature is directly proportional to
the potential difference across the resistor.

Reversing the potential difference across a resistor reverses the current through it.

Voltage=Current∗Resistance V =IR Volts=Ampers∗Ohms

A filament lamp’s resistance increases if the filament’s temperature increases. This is because the
atoms vibrate more as the temperature increases which causes more collisions and slows the rate of
movement of electrons.

A Diodes forward resistance is low, but the reverse resistance is high.

A Thermistor’s resistance decreases if it’s temperature increases.

An LDR’s resistance decreases if the light intensity on it increases.

For components in series:

- The current is the same in each component

- The total potential difference is shared between the components
- Adding their resistances gives the total resistance

For cells in series, acting in the same direction, the total potential difference is the sum of their
individual potential differences.

When adding resistors, the rate of flow of charge decreases because the potential difference
remains unchanged.

For components in parallel

- The total current is the sum of the currents through the sperate components
- The potential difference across each component is the same

The bigger the resistance of a component, the smaller the current that will pass through that
component because the potential difference remains unchanged.