DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY

Chapter 5, pg 150 – 159

Electricity Recap

• Electricity = phenomena caused by positive and negative charges

• Static: Electrical charges at rest
• Dynamic: Electrical charges in motion

• Static and Dynamic electricity made possible by the electron

 Protons carry the positive
charge
Found in the nucleus
Cannot leave the nucleus

Electrons carry the negative

charge
Found in orbitals around the
nucleus
Can leave orbitals
Elements in all basic circuits

• Power supply (To move, or not to move, that is the question!)

• Wires (Where do you think the electrons are traveling through?)
• Objects requiring electricity to function!
• Lights
• Fans
• Etc…
Circuit Drawing 101
Wires Battery

Power supply Switch

Light bulb Resistor

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM SYMBOLS
DYNAMIC
ELECTRICITY…CONTINUED!
Chapter 5, pg 150 – 159
Chapter 14, pg 458-469
Conductors and Insulators

Recap: Conductors allow electrons to flow through it

(metals and semi-conductors)
Insulators prevent electrons from flowing through it
(plastics and ceramics)
Characteristic of Good Conductors (Conductance Lab)

1. Short
2. Fat
3. Cold
4. Gold/Copper
Protection

• Def: Components in a circuit that can cut current flow in the event of a power
surge
• Two types:
1. Fuse: Contains conductive filament that “melts” if current exceeds certain level
2. Breakers: Strip bends when current exceeds a certain level and opens the circuit
Protection
FUSE BREAKER

Fuse Melting
OPEN VS CLOSED CIRCUITS
OPEN CIRCUIT
• Electrons cannot flow in a loop

Gap in the circuit

Lightbulb off
Electrons cannot pass through
OPEN VS CLOSED CIRCUITS
CLOSED CIRCUIT
• Electrons can flow in a loop

No gaps at all
Lightbulb on
Electrons can pass through
SERIES VS PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Series Circuit: Electrons only have one path
SERIES VS PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Parallel Circuit: Electrons have a choice of a path to take
ELEMENTS IN A CIRCUIT

1. Current Direction
2. Potential Different
3. Current Intensity
4. Resistance
5. Power
6. Energy
CURRENT DIRECTION

• Def: Direction of the movement of electrons

• We will determine current direction by electron flow Direction of
• Negative terminal to positive terminal electrons
DIRECT CURRENT VS ALTERNATING CURRENT

• Direct: Electrons flow in one direction

• Batteries supply electricity in direct current
• Alternating: Electrons move back and forth in a regular patter
• Easier to transport electricity over long distance this way
CURRENT INTENSITY

• Def: Number of charges that pass a given point in an electrical circuit every
second
• Speed of electrons!
• Symbol: I
• Unit: A (ampres)
• Device which measures current intensity: Ammeter
AMMETERS ARE CONNECTED IN SERIES
Since ammeters are
counting the number of
electrons that pass per
second, they need to
be connected in the
path of where
electrons flow

Connected in Series

Symbol for Ammeter

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE (voltage)

• Def: Amount of energy transferred between two points in an electrical circuit

• Energy of electrons!
• Symbol: V
• Unit: V (volts)
• Device which measures potential difference: Voltmeter
VOLTMETERS ARE CONNECTED IN PARALLEL
Since voltmeters are
counting change in
energy, they need to
be placed before and
after electrons enter
the element

Connected in Parallel

Symbol for Voltmeter

PROPERLY CONNECTED AMMETER AND VOLTMETER
 WHAT’S BEING MEASURED HERE?

Voltage
through
Total Voltage resistor 1

Current Intensity Current Intensity

through lamp through resistor 1
and 2

Total Current
Intensity
WHAT’S BEING MEASURED HERE?
VM =
VM 3 =
AM 1 =
AM 2 =
AM 4