Circuit: A closed loop, consisting of multiple components, in which electrons can travel through the entire loop. Electrons must travel though the entire loop for the circuit to work.

Open Circuit: A circuit where there is an interruption in the loop, and the loop is not complete: electrons do not flow through the loop and loads

Closed Circuit:

Load: Any component of a circuit that consumes power/energy. For example, a light bulb is a load which uses electrical energy and converts it to light (and some waste heat). Loads also restrict the flow of current.

Resistor: A resistor is an item in a circuit, which has a sole function of changing electrical resistance in a circuit. Unlike a load, it has no other function but changing the resistance

Current: Current is basically the rate of flow of electricity (electrons): How many electrons are flowing past a given point at a specific time. This is measured in amperes

Resistance: Resistance to flow, opposition to the flow of current in a circuit. This is measured in Ohms.

Potential Difference: The difference in electrical energy between two points on a circuit. For example, loads take up energy, and there is a difference in energy in the circuit before the load, and after. Potential difference is measured in volts.

Conductor: An object which easily allows electrons to flow through it. Electric charges do not accumulate on conductors.

Content

Circuit Diagram Symbols

description

images

Source/Cell

A source is the device which supplies electrical power to the circuit.

A cell is a single battery (not to be confused with the next definition, Battery). You can see the different types of cells and their definitions later

Battery

A battery in a circuit (not to be confused with batteries) is a combination of cells (single batteries)

Load

Any component of a circuit that consumes power/energy. For example, a light bulb is a load which uses electrical energy and converts it to light (and some waste heat). Loads also restrict the flow of current.

Lamp

A lamp, or ligthbulb, any device which emits light mainly is represented by the symbol right. In basic circuits, light emittors are so common that they have their own separate symbol.

Switch

A switch is a device in a circuit which can interrupt the flow of electrons in the circuit and stop specific loads from working. A switch can be in a closed position, which would allow the electrons to continue through the circuit and provide energy to the loads. A switch can also be in an open position, which interrupts electron flow to a load.

Resistor

A resistor is an item in a circuit, which has a sole function of changing electrical resistance in a circuit. Unlike a load, it has no other function but changing the resistance

Ammeter

A device which measures Amperes, units of current

Voltmeter

A device which measures Volts, units of potential difference

Ohmmeter

A device which measures Ohms, units of resistance

Cool Circuit Builder Simulation: Circuit Builder by PhET Colorado

Two Types of Circuits

There are two ways you can configure a circuit: series, and parallel.

Series Circuit

only one path for electrons to travel

Parallel Circuit

multiple paths for electrons to flow

Note: If, for example, one of the branches in the parallel circuit is affected, lets say one of the lightbulbs is removed, none of the others will go out because they all have alternate paths to travel, electron flow is not interrupted

http://esu8tech.blogspot.com/2019/04/electrical-circuits-as-animated-gifs.html

Two Types of Cells

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-dry-cell-and-wet-cell/

Wet Cell

Main components: two metal plates immersed in a conducting liquid:

The metal plates are known as electrodes, while the liquid is known as an electrolyte, or electrolytic fluid (usually sulfuric acid)

The two metal plates are usually made of zinc or copper, and there is one of each, a negative (zinc) and a positive terminal (copper). The negative electrode is referred to as the anode, while the positive electrode is referred to as the cathode.

The way it works is the zinc electrode reacts chemically with the electrolyte so that electrons are released from the zinc and collect on the electrode, making it negative, this process slowly wearing away the zinc electrode. Simultaneously, protons collect on the copper electrode, making it positive

Dry Cell

very similar to a wet cell except the liquid is a paste

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-dry-cell-and-wet-cell/

Ohms Law

According to Ohm's Law, the potential difference at a point in a circuit is equivalent to the current times the resistance. This equation is written as V = I x R

Measuring Variables

Voltmeters must be hooked up in parallel to measure energy spent in two places and determine their difference.

Ammeters must be hooked up in series, so the ammeter can measure the current directly flowing through it.

(Ohmmeters are rare. They may be connected in series or parallel)

Multimeter is a voltmeter

Multimeter

Four Factors Affecting Resistance in a Circuit

Now that we know what resistance is: the impeding of the flow/speed of electrons, a reduction in current, there are certain factors, certain ways you can reduce/increase the resistance in a circuit.

Length of Wire:

The longer the wire,

2. Thickness of wire (or the smaller the inner radius)

3. Temperature

4. Material of Wire

Activities:

Activity 1: Ecology: Backyard Biodiversity

brief 1 sentence description.

Link to the assignment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zhSMLLcQ8RkT3c2ngqOeDzwba5I9bQaIyLg4LUfwhyE/edit?usp=sharing

Make a Copy of the document

Activity 2: Ecology: Your Local Biome

brief 1 sentence description.

(transfer biomes activity to a doc)

Link to the assignment: (put link here)

Make a Copy of the document

Biomes Activity: Your Local Biome

Do some research on what biome you are located in

Suggestions for recording:

Think of the answers to these questions:

What biome are you located in
What level of diversity is in this biome

a. Do some research, what biome and ecozone is the nature area in?

What are the threats to this biome?
How can we protect this biome?

Chapter Quiz

This short quiz is to test your knowledge on the biodiversity chapter in the ecology unit.

It will be out of 20 points.

Good luck! Remember, this isn't a real quiz. Just to test your knowledge on the unit. So don't stress, just keep calm, and don't worry. This whole site was intended as a study aid. If you do well, good job! Kudos to you. If you don't do so well, it just means you may need to study the section again.

Don't cheat. Please. The chapter quizzes are built into the site as Google Forms, unlike the unit tests, which are external, secure links.

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