Electricity and Circuits

13 important questions on Electricity and Circuits

How do you find total resistance in series?

Add the resistance from all present resistors together

How does p.d work in a series circuit?

The total p.d from the power supply is shared between all the components. if you add the voltages across each component together then you'll get the voltage supplied by the cell/cells

How does resistance work in parallel?

Resistance across one branch doesn't affect any other branches, but it does make the overall current lower
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What is alternating current? Give examples

The direction of the current changes many times per second. Looks like a transverse wave on a p.d-time graph. Used in anything with a transformer

What is direct current? Give examples

The direction of the current stays the same. Looks like a straight line above the x-axis on a p.d-time graph. Used in batteries

Describe the electricity that is in the mains

Alternating current, frequency of 50Hz, p.d of 230V

Which is the earth wire?

Green with yellow stripes

Which wire is connected to the fuse?

Live wire

How to fuses work?

When the current gets to high, it melts the wire inside the fuse, the wire breaks the circuit. It can only be used once

How to circuit breakers work?

They sense any difference in current between the live and neutral wires, if there is any difference the electricity is disconnected. Faster and more sensitive than fuses, can be used multiple times

How do earth wires work?

Earth wires are used in anything with a metal casing, if the live wire touches the metal casing at all then the earth wire causes the fuse to blow, making the appliance safe to touch

What is the difference between filament bulbs and CFLs?

CFLs are more efficient

What is power in regards to circuits?

The amount of energy transferred per second or the amount of current and p.d flowing through a circuit

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