Basic Electricity

What is the purpose of the switch shown in this schematic diagram?

• To increase the voltage of the current

• To decrease the voltage of the current

• It does nothing

• To establish or interrupt the electrical current of the circuit in order to control the light bulb.

What difference will it make if the switch is located in either of these two alternate locations in the circuit?

• It makes no difference at all

• The switch on the positive side can conduct the electricity at any type of voltage

• The switch on the negative side cannot conduct any electricity

• The switch is able better be able to stop and allow the flow of electricity

Does this switch (in the closed state) have a low resistance or a high resistance between its terminals?

• The closed switch has a low resistance

• The closed switch has a high resistance

How might you use a meter (or a conductivity/continuity tester) to determine whether this electrical switch is in the open or closed state?

• By measuring the resistance of the switch

• By measuring in between the the two screw terminals

Determine if the light bulb will de-energize for each of the following breaks in the circuit. Consider just one break at a time:

• DE, no effect, no effect, no effect, DE, no effect

• No effect, no effect, no effect, no effect, no effect, no effect

• DE, DE, DE, DE, DE, DE

• No effect, DE, no effect, DE, no effect, DE

Shown here is a simplified representation of an atom: the smallest division of matter that may be isolated through physical or chemical methods.

Inside of each atom are several smaller bits of matter called particles. Identify the three different types of “elementary” particles inside an atom, their electrical properties, and their respective locations within the atom.

Reveal answer

• All of them have a negative charge and are all in the center

• All of them have a positive charge and are all in the outside ring

• Neutrons reside in the center (“nucleus”) of the atom, as do protons. Neutrons are electrically neutral (no charge), while protons have a positive electrical charge. Electrons, which reside outside the nucleus, have negative electrical charges.

• Neutrons reside outside of the nucleus, and have no charge. Protons reside in the center of atom, and have a positive charge. Electrons reside in the outside of the nucleus and have a negative charge

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Different types of atoms are distinguished by different numbers of elementary particles within them. Determine the numbers of elementary particles within each of these types of atoms:

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Helium

• Aluminum

Hint: look up each of these elements on a periodic table.

Reveal answer

• Carbon: 6,6,6; Hydrogen: 1,1,0; Helium: 2,2,2; Aluminum: 13,13,14

• Carbon: 5,6,6; Hydrogen: 8,1,0; Helium: 2,7,2; Aluminum: 13,13,5

• Carbon: 8,8,6; Hydrogen: 1,1,5; Helium: 4,4,2; Aluminum: 13,13,1

• Carbon: 8,8,8; Hydrogen: 9,9,3; Helium: 2,2,2; Aluminum: 13,13,14

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Of the three types of “elementary particles” constituting atoms, determine which type(s) influence the following properties of an element:

• The chemical identity of the atoms (whether it is an atom of nitrogen, iron, silver, or some other element).

• The mass of the atom.

• The electrical charge of the atom.

• Whether or not it is radioactive (spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus).

Reveal answer

• neutrons; neutrons and electrons, >electrons; neutrons and protons; neutrons

• Protons; neutrons and protons, >electrons; electrons and protons; electrons and protons

• Protons; neutrons and protons, >electrons; electrons and protons; neutrons

• electrons; electrons and protons, >electrons; electrons and electrons; neutrons

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The Greek word for amber (fossilized resin) is elektron. Explain how this came to be the word describing a certain type of subatomic particle (electron).

Reveal answer

• When a piece of amber is rubbed with a cloth, a static electric charge develops on both objects. Early experimenters postulated the existence of an invisible fluid that was transferred between the amber and the cloth. Later, it was discovered that tiny sub-atomic particles constituted this “fluid,” and the name electron was given to them.

• When a piece of amber is rubbed with a cloth, a static electric charge develops on both objects. Later, it was discovered that tiny sub-atomic particles constituted this “fluid,” and the name electron was given to them.

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What does it mean for an object to have an electric charge? Give an example of an object receiving an electric charge, and describe how that charged object might behave.

Reveal answer

• For an object to be electrically charged, it must have either a deficit of electrons among its atoms.

• For an object to be electrically charged, it must have either a surplus of electrons among its atoms.

• For an object to be electrically charged, it must have either a surplus or a deficit of electrons among its atoms.

• For an object to be electrically charged, it must have electrons among its atoms.

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