Section 10.2Electricity and Electric Currents

Pages 300 – 301

Things to Remember…

• Electric Current• Electric Circuit• Four parts of the Electric Circuit• Difference between open and closed circuits• Schematic circuit diagrams and symbols

• Electrical energy is transferred by the movement of electrical charge. The movement of electrical charges from one place to another is called an electric current.

• An ELECTRIC CIRCUIT is a controlled path through which electric current passes.

Four Parts of Electric Circuit

1) Source of Electric Energy– Information from computer hard drives– Information from nuclear power stations– Photoelectric cells in calculators, cells and

batteries, wall outlets.

2) Electrical Load– Name given to anything that converts electric

energy into whatever form of energy we need

• This is why we have electric circuits

– i.e. Toaster, microwave, coffee maker

3) Electric Circuit Control Device– switches in homes, cars, portable electronic

equipment– clock timer on microwave– thermostat

4) Connectors– provide a controlled path for electric current to

flow to each part of the circuit• i.e. microchips

Closed vs. Open Circuits

Closed Circuits: Electric current is flowing – the arm of the switch is connected to the other

part of the switch and the switch is ON

• Open Circuits: the arm of the switch is not connected to the other part of the switch, the switch is ‘open’ or ‘off’

Schematic Diagram Symbols

VIDEO

• Electric Circuit... Croc. Clips!!

Keeping on Track…

• It may be a good idea to make a chart listing the parts of the electric circuit and stating a function for each part and provide two examples…

QUESTIONS TO PONDER…

• We use lights in so many places and for many different purposes. TONIGHT (homework ), walk through each room in the house and count the number of light sources in each room. Don’t forget things that aren’t glowing or flashing at that movement (microwave, TV remote bulb, etc.) Next day we will compare the different light sources!!