Electrical Circuits Overview Aim: To revise and outline the key ideas and concepts of constructing and illustrating electrical diagrams. Keywords: Parallel, Series, Amperes, Volts, Current, Voltage This lesson, we revised our understanding of electrical circuits. Here are various diagrams and images of our lesson. First of all, we learnt about different ways to illustrate wires and batteries. The generic symbol for a single cell, is illustrated below and this generally represents 1.5V. This means that adding more cells is used to illustrate a battery of higher voltage. However, when representing a battery with a larger voltage, having to represent every 1.5V with its own cell can become extremely exhausting. This is why the symbol below, with the two cells separated by a dotted line was invented. This symbol represents a battery and you are able to write whatever voltage is necessary. ![]() 1.5V Cell (Top Left) 4.5V Battery (Top Right) Variable Battery (Bottom) We also learnt how to illustrate the three different types of wires. The first is the generic wire, illustrated by a straight line. The second is a cross, and this illustrates two overlapping wires that are not connected. The final symbol is a two wires, perpendicular to each other, with a dot where the wires meet. This symbol is used to illustrate two wires that are joined, with one breaking off the other. We then revised the relationships between current and voltage within series and parallel circuits. A series circuit, being a continuous line, means that the electrons have to flow through each component, reducing the voltage with each component added. However, due to there being only one path for the electrons to flow through, the current or amperes remains constant. A parallel circuit, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. The multiple paths for the electrons, means that the current is split evenly amongst each path and the individual paths also means that the voltage does not have to flow through each component individually, causing the voltage to remain constant. Finally, in this lesson we were introduced to the concept of “Conventional Current.” This was the way electrical diagrams were illustrated when people believed that energy flowed from the positive terminal to the negative and before the discovery of electrons. This means that the flow of electrons is illustrated in the opposite direction and the circuits are designed accordingly. If the circuit is constructed correctly, no matter how it is illustrated, the electrons will flow properly. Although “Conventional Current” does not illustrate the flow of electrons, it is still a valid way to construct a circuit diagram. Lesson Summary:
Learnt about “Conventional Current,” what it is and its similarities and difference when compared to electron flow. Revised our knowledge of parallel and series circuits, as well as current, voltage and resistance. Learnt specific ways to illustrate different types of wires and batteries.
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