Ohm's Law

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Voltage Noun

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[vohl-tij]

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Voltage

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The potential difference in charge between two points in an electrical field, representing the push or pressure behind current flow.

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Example: This diagram uses a water analogy to show voltage as the 'pressure' or potential energy caused by the height of the water in the pipe.

Front

Current Noun

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[kur-uhnt]

Back

Current

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The rate at which electric charge flows past a point in a circuit, measured in units called Amperes (Amps).

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where an electric battery causes charged particles to flow through a conductor, lighting up a bulb, illustrating electric current.

Front

Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Resistance

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A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current within an electrical circuit, measured in units called Ohms.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where a battery (V) pushes current (I) through a light bulb, which provides resistance (R) to the flow.

Front

Ohm's Law Noun

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[ohmz law]

Back

Ohm's Law

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A fundamental law stating that current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance in a circuit.

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Example: This diagram, the Ohm's Law triangle, is a tool to remember the formula. Cover the value you want to find (V, I, or R) to see the equation to solve for it.

Front

Potential Difference Noun

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[puh-ten-shuhl dif-er-uhns]

Back

Potential Difference

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The work needed per unit of charge to move a test charge between two points; another term for voltage.

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Example: A 12-volt battery creates a potential difference, pushing negative charges through a wire to power a headlight, demonstrating voltage in a simple circuit.

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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 power source and components.

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Example: This image shows that without a circuit, electrons in a conductor move randomly. When connected to a voltage source, they form a circuit and flow together.

Front

Resistor Noun

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[ri-zis-ter]

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Resistor

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An electrical component specifically designed to introduce a precise amount of electrical resistance into a circuit.

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Example: This image shows a resistor in two ways: as a zigzag symbol in a schematic diagram and as a physical component in a real circuit.

Front

Volt Noun

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[vohlt]

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Volt

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The standard international (SI) unit of measurement for electromotive force or potential difference, symbolized as V.

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Example: This diagram uses a water analogy to show voltage as the 'pressure' caused by the height of the water, which pushes the water to flow.

Front

Ampere Noun

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[am-peer]

Back

Ampere

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The standard international (SI) unit of measurement for electric current, often called an 'amp' and symbolized as A.

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Example: This animation shows electric charges (dots) flowing through a wire. An Ampere measures the rate of this flow, or how many charges pass a point per second.

Front

Ohm Noun

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[ohm]

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Ohm

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The standard international (SI) unit of measurement for electrical resistance, symbolized by the Greek letter Omega (Ω).

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Example: This diagram shows Ohm's Law, where Voltage (V) equals Current (I) times Resistance (R). The unit of resistance is the Ohm.