1.3.2

Define electric potential, or voltage. Differentiate between AC and DC. Identify the most common source of DC voltage. Describe how to connect DC voltage sources so that voltage will be added.

Recall that a field is a model used to help understand and predict how forces are transmitted from one object to another. Electric field – electric force per unit charge. Unit is Newton per Coulomb (N/C) Click on this link to go to an electric field simulation from Phetelectric field simulation from Phet

Potential energy – energy of a particle associated with its position.

When charges are within an electric field an electrical potential difference is created. Volt – unit of measurement for potential difference. (electrical potential, voltage) Voltage is the prime mover in electrical systems (like pressure in fluid system).

Gravitational potential difference – ability to accelerate a mass between two heights.  GPE = mgh Electric potential difference (or voltage) – ability to accelerate an electric charge between two points in an electric field.  V = E  d Units: Nm, or JUnits: Nm/C, or J/C (or Volt, V)

Fluid systemElectrical system Flow caused by “potential” difference Current – Flow

Recall, pressure is a prime mover in fluid sytems. Voltage is a prime mover in electrical systems. The flow of charge is called current. Current continues until the plates are neutral.

Pump is used to maintain pressure difference. A battery is used to maintain a potential difference.

Voltage source (battery or generator) Conductors (wires or circuit board) Load (motor, lights, etc.) Control element (switch) Voltage source Control Electrical Load Electrical circuit

Load – an appliance or machine. Conductor – material through which charge can easily flow. Control element – a switch that turns the current in the system on or off. Electrical circuit – closed path for current flow created by connecting voltage sources, conductors, control elements, and loads. Voltage source Control Electrical Load Electrical circuit

Two types of current (or charge) in electrical systems: Direct current (DC) – current flows in one direction. Produced by batteries Alternating current (AC) – current flows back and forth many time each second. Produced by alternators

Direct Current (DC) – charge flows in one direction. Batteries Solar Panels Alternating Current (AC) – charge flows back and forth. Alternators Generators

Cell – single unit that houses on or more chemicals. Electrons and ions are separated in a cell creating a voltage. Voltage depends on the chemicals used (Table 1.6). Battery – a collection of two or more cells connected together. Battery is “dead” when voltage drops below that required to drive the load. Types of cells (Figure 1.38) Primary cell – one-time use. Secondary cell – rechargeable.

Can be added by connecting cells in series, connecting the positive terminal from one cell to the negative terminal of the next cell. Individual voltages of each cell adds together (Figure 1.39). In the circuit, electrons move out of the negative terminal/electrode (or cathode) and enter the positive electrode (or anode)

Wire Switch Lamp Load Battery AC power

Use this Phet web site link for DC Circuit Construction to download and practice making DC circuits.Phet web site Click on this Phet web site link for DC Circuit Lab to get more practice with DC circuitsPhet web site

Positive and negative terminals change many times per second. Majority at a rate of 60 cycles per second Cycling rate, called frequency. Measured in hertz, cycles per second (1/s, or Hz).

AC Circuit Demonstration Click on this Phet web link on AC Current – click on the link, download the program and practice making AC circuitsPhet web link on AC Current Click on this Phet web link for the AC Current Lab simulation.Phet web link for the AC Current Lab

Electric field Unit is Newton per Coulomb (N/C) SI unit for charge is the Coulomb (C). Elementary charge of one electron or proton is 1.60 x C q 1 and q 2 are the charges on two objects. d = distance between charged objects K = constant = 9.0 x 10 9 Nm 2 /C 2 Electrical force

V = E x d E = electric field d = distance Unit is volts Voltage Net Voltage Vnet = V f – V i E = V/d Unit is V/m Electric field distance d = V/E Unit is meters Charge # of electrons x elementary charge 1 electron Unit is Coloumb

Direct current Total voltage is the sum of all voltage sources Vt = V1 + V2 + V3…. Battery + battery + battery – conductor (wire) – load – wire. Alternating current Total voltage is difference between the voltage sources on each side of the load. Vt = V on side one – V on side 2 Battery – conductor – load – battery in reversed position - conductor

Wire Switch Lamp Load Battery AC power