Simple Circuits

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Circuit Noun

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[sur-kit]

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Circuit

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A complete and closed path around which an electrical current can flow, typically including a source of electrical energy.

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Example: This image shows a complete circuit where electricity flows from a battery, through a wire, to a light bulb, and back, causing the bulb to light up.

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Current Noun

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[kur-ent]

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Current

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The rate of flow of electric charge through a point in a circuit, measured in units called Amperes (A).

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where electric current flows from a battery, through a switch and wire, to power a lightbulb.

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Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tans]

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Resistance

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A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current through a material, measured in units called Ohms (Ω).

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Example: Using a water pipe analogy, this image shows resistance as a narrow section that squeezes and slows the flow of current pushed by voltage.

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Resistor Noun

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[ri-zis-ter]

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Resistor

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An electrical component designed to implement a specific amount of electrical resistance in a circuit to control current flow.

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Example: This cutaway diagram shows the parts of a resistor, including the metal leads, insulation, and the internal resistance material that slows down electricity.

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Series Circuit Noun

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[seer-eez sur-kit]

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Series Circuit

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An electric circuit in which all components are connected end-to-end, providing only one path for the current to follow.

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Example: This image shows a series circuit where electricity flows from a battery, through a switch and a light bulb, and back to the battery in a single, unbroken path.

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Ammeter Noun

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[am-mee-ter]

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Ammeter

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An instrument used for measuring the electric current flowing through a specific point in an electrical circuit.

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Example: This diagram shows how an ammeter is connected in a series circuit to measure the electric current flowing from a battery to a lamp.

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Power Noun

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[pou-er]

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Power

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The rate at which electrical energy is transferred or converted into another form, such as light, heat, or motion.

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Example: This diagram shows how rotating a wire coil in a magnetic field generates electrical energy, which provides power to light up the bulb.

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Equivalent Resistance Noun

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[i-kwiv-uh-luhnt ri-zis-tans]

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Equivalent Resistance

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The total resistance of a circuit; the value of a single resistor that would produce the same total current.

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Example: This diagram shows how several resistors in a parallel circuit can be replaced by a single resistor, the equivalent resistance, with the same overall effect.

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Voltage Divider Noun

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[vohl-tij dih-vahy-der]

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Voltage Divider

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A simple series circuit used to produce a source of potential difference that is less than the main power source.

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Example: This circuit diagram shows how a voltage divider works. An input voltage (Vin) is split by two resistors (R1 and R2) to produce a smaller output voltage (Vout).

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Photoresistor Noun

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[foh-toh-ri-zis-ter]

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Photoresistor

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A light-dependent resistor whose electrical resistance decreases as the intensity of light striking it increases.

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Example: This diagram shows the main parts of a photoresistor, including the light-sensitive photoconductive material, electrodes, and wire terminals for connecting it into a circuit.