Circuits Introduction

This lesson covers:

  1. What an electric circuit is
  2. The basic components of an electric circuit
  3. An introduction to current, potential difference, and resistance
  4. The direction of electron flow and current flow

A power source for an electric circuit could be a:

(Select all that apply)

Engine

Battery

Pump

Cell

0

/

2

Circuit diagram symbol representing a switch.

This symbol is used to represent a on a circuit diagram.

switch

0

/

1

voltage / current / resistance


is a measure of the flow of electrons around a circuit

Current

0

/

1

This symbol is used to represent a on a circuit diagram.

battery

0

/

1

Amperes, amps, or 'A' are the units of:

Resistance

Current

Voltage

0

/

1

Blue cross symbol representing a component on a circuit diagram.

What does this symbol represent on a circuit diagram?

Cell

Filament Lamp

Resistor

Battery

0

/

1

current / potential difference / resistance


is the force driving the flow of electrons around a circuit

Potential difference

0

/

1

In 'conventional current', we say that the electrons flow from:

Negative terminal ➔ positive terminal

Positive terminal ➔ negative terminal

0

/

1

current / potential difference / resistance


is everything that resists or opposes the flow of electrons in a circuit

Resistance

0

/

1

Illustration of three yellow lightning bolts representing voltage.

Voltage, volts, and 'V', are all used to refer to:

Potential difference

Current

Resistance

0

/

1

Ohms (Ω) are the units of:

Voltage

Current

Resistance

0

/

1

Current (or 'conventional current') flows from:

Negative terminal ➔ positive terminal

Positive terminal ➔ negative terminal

0

/

1