Physics

Electrostatic and Electric Currents

★ Electrostatic
➔ Atom - a particle of matter that uniquely defines a chemical
element
❖ Consists of a central nucleus that is surrounded by one or
more negatively charged electrons
➔ Proton - subatomic particle with positive charge in the nucleus
➔ Electron - subatomic particle with negative charge outside of
the nucleus (outermost shell of atom)

➔ Gaining electrons - makes an object negatively charged

➔ Losing electrons - makes an object positively charged
➔ Electrostatic charge - charge on an insulator that has gained or
lost electrons
➔ Friction - a force between 2 surfaces that are sliding or trying
to slide, across each other and produces heat
❖ Only electrons can be transferred by friction.
 ➔ Use of electrostatics: photocopiers, laser printers, inkjet
printers and electrostatic air filters
➔ Danger of electrostatics: if the charge is very large, spark to
the earth may happen unexpectedly
➔ Like charges repel, causing the negatively charged electrons in
the ball and rod to move away from the dome, escaping
through the conducting wire to the ground.
➔ Like charges repel
➔ Unlike charges attract

★ Symbols of electric components

Name Symbol
Wire ————————

Open switch

Closed switch

Lamp

Motor

Cell

Battery

Buzzer
 Ammeter

Voltmeter

Resistor

Variable resistor

Diode

★ Components
➔ Ammeter → Measure electric current (I)
→ SI unit → Ampere (A)
→ Connect in series circuits

➔ Voltmeter → Measure voltage (V)

→ Connect in parallel circuits

➔ Resistor → Control and adjust / Reduce the current in a circuit

→ Unit → Ω (ohm)
❖ 2 types: Fixed, Variable
❖ Fixed → Set a specific value (can’t be changed / constant)
❖ Variable → Able to manage flows at a specific level and
below

➔ Diode → a semiconductor device

→ essentially acts as a one-way switch for current
(Purpose)
 ❖ What is a diode? → Diode is a semiconductor device that
essentially acts as a one-way switch for current.

★ Series and Parallel Circuits

Series Parallel
Only one loop of circuit More than one loop of circuit
The same amount of current The current flowing through
flows through all the each component combines to
components (It = I1 = I2 = I3) form the current flow through
the source (It = I1 + I2 + I3)
Vt = V1 + V2 + V3 Vt = V1 = V2 = V3
Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 1/Rt = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3
Components are arranged in a Components are arranged
line parallel to each other
If one component breaks down, If one component breaks down,
the whole circuit will burn out. other components will still
function as each has its own
independent circuit.
When resistors are put in a When resistors are put in a
series circuit, the voltage across parallel circuit, the voltage
each resistor is different even across each of the resistors is
though the current flow is the the same. Even the polarities
same through all of them. are the same.
★ Other Theory Notes and Definitions
➔ Electrical current - the rate of flow of electrical charges
➔ Electrical circuit - the path along which the electric current
flows through
➔ Electric charges - positive (+), negative (-)
➔ Voltage - measure of the energy given to the electrons in a
circuit
➔ Chemical energy stored in a cell → Electrical energy → Light
energy
➔ Voltage of single battery - 1.5 V
➔ The electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive
terminal.
➔ A battery contains chemical substances (strong acid or strong
alkali)
➔ 3 effects which can be changed from electrical energy:
❖ Heating effect
❖ Magnetic effect
❖ Chemical effect

➔ If the voltage increases, the current increases.

➔ If the resistance increases, the current decreases.
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➔R =
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➔I =
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