Principles of Electricity
This section introduces basic concepts of electricity, essential for understanding the broader context of mechanical systems in physics.
Current, Voltage, and Power
The page defines and explains three fundamental electrical concepts:
Definition: Current measures the number of electrons flowing through a wire per second, measured in amperes (A).
Definition: Voltage measures the pressure pushing electrons through a wire, analogous to water pressure in a hose, measured in volts (V).
Definition: Power measures the rate of work done by electricity, measured in watts (W).
Electricity in Nature
The page provides an example of electricity in nature:
Example: Lightning occurs when the voltage between clouds and the ground reaches about 10 million volts, with currents up to 200,000 amps and energy of 500 million joules.
Circuit Components
The section includes a comprehensive table of electrical circuit components, their symbols, and functions. Components covered include:
- Cell and Battery
- Resistor and Variable Resistor
- Voltmeter and Ammeter
- LED and Diode
- Switches (open and closed)
- LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
- Bulb
This information is particularly useful for students studying levers and gears GCSE Physics and Bbc Bitesize levers and pulleys ks3, as it provides context for the electrical systems that often work alongside mechanical systems.