Electricity Basics
Ever wondered what makes your phone charge or lights turn on? It's all about electrical charge flowing through circuits. Current is simply the flow of electrical charge, measured in amperes (A).
Think of electricity like water flowing through pipes. Just as water needs pressure to flow, electrical charge needs a potential difference (measured in volts) to push it around a complete circuit. No complete circuit means no flow - which is why unplugging something stops it working.
Resistance acts like a narrow pipe that slows down the flow. Measured in ohms (Ω), resistance reduces current flow. The key relationship to remember: higher resistance = lower current flowing through that component.
The essential equation you'll need is Q = It, where Q is charge (coulombs), I is current (amperes), and t is time (seconds). There's also V = IR, linking voltage, current, and resistance together.
Quick Tip: Different components like LEDs, diodes, and thermistors all have different resistance properties - some change with temperature or only allow current in one direction.
Series Circuits
Series circuits are the simplest type - imagine Christmas lights all connected in one long chain. In these circuits, components are connected in a line, creating just one path for current to flow.
Here's what makes series circuits unique: current stays the same everywhere in the circuit, but potential difference gets shared between all components. If you've got three bulbs, each gets a third of the total voltage.
Resistance adds up in series circuits - more components mean more total resistance. The big downside? If one component breaks or gets disconnected, the whole circuit stops working because there's only one path for current.
Remember: Series circuits are like a single-lane road - if there's a blockage anywhere, nothing gets through!