VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND POWER
(VOLTAGE)
The basic unit of measure for potential difference is the volt (symbol V), and, because the
volt unit is used, potential difference is called voltage. An object’s electrical charge is
determined by the number of electrons that the object has gained or lost. Because such a
large number of electrons move, a unit called the coulomb is used to indicate the charge. One
coulomb is equal to 6.28 × 1018 (billion, billion) electrons. For example, if an object gains
one coulomb of negative charge, it has gained 6,280,000,000,000,000,000 extra electrons. A
volt is defined as a difference of potential causing one coulomb of current to do one joule of
work. A volt is also defined as that amount of force required to force one ampere of current
through one ohm of resistance.
(CURRENT)
The density of the atoms in copper wire is such that the valence orbits of the individual atoms
overlap, causing the electrons to move easily from one atom to the next. Free electrons can
drift from one orbit to another in a random direction. When a potential difference is applied,
the direction of their movement is controlled. The strength of the potential difference applied
at each end of the wire determines how many electrons change from a random motion to a
more directional path through the wire. The movement or flow of these electrons is called
electron current flow or just current.
(POWER)
Electricity is generally used to do some sort of work, such as turning a motor or generating
heat. Specifically, power is the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which heat is
generated. The unit commonly used to specify electric power is the watt. In equations, you will
find power.
The basic unit of measure for potential difference is the volt (symbol V), and, because the
volt unit is used, potential difference is called voltage. An object’s electrical charge is
determined by the number of electrons that the object has gained or lost. Because such a
large number of electrons move, a unit called the coulomb is used to indicate the charge. One
coulomb is equal to 6.28 × 1018 (billion, billion) electrons. For example, if an object gains
one coulomb of negative charge, it has gained 6,280,000,000,000,000,000 extra electrons. A
volt is defined as a difference of potential causing one coulomb of current to do one joule of
work. A volt is also defined as that amount of force required to force one ampere of current
through one ohm of resistance.
(CURRENT)
The density of the atoms in copper wire is such that the valence orbits of the individual atoms
overlap, causing the electrons to move easily from one atom to the next. Free electrons can
drift from one orbit to another in a random direction. When a potential difference is applied,
the direction of their movement is controlled. The strength of the potential difference applied
at each end of the wire determines how many electrons change from a random motion to a
more directional path through the wire. The movement or flow of these electrons is called
electron current flow or just current.
(POWER)
Electricity is generally used to do some sort of work, such as turning a motor or generating
heat. Specifically, power is the rate at which work is done, or the rate at which heat is
generated. The unit commonly used to specify electric power is the watt. In equations, you will
find power.
Comments
Post a Comment