Electric Circuits: Components and Function
Classified in Electronics
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Atomic Structure and Electric Charge
The following table summarizes the structure of an atom:
| Component | Subatomic Particle | Mass and Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Protons | Mass = 1, Charge = + |
| Core | Neutrons | Mass = 1, Charge = Neutral |
| Cortex | Electrons | Negligible Mass, Charge = - |
Electric charge is the excess or deficit of electrons in a body. It is measured in Coulombs.
Electric Current
Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor. A conductor material contains many free electrons. Materials that do not have free electrons are insulators. For current to exist, there must be free electrons and a potential difference. Current can be of two types:
- Direct Current (DC): Electrons move in the same direction.
- Alternating Current (AC): Electrons change direction periodically, produced by an alternator.
Intensity of Current
The intensity of a current is the amount of electric charge that crosses a section of a conductor per unit of time. It is measured in Amperes.
Electrical Circuits
An electrical circuit is a set of elements connected in a way that allows electric current to flow. For current to flow, the circuit must be closed. The current flows from the negative pole to the positive pole.
Electrical Generators
An electrical generator produces electrical energy. There are several types:
- Alternators: Transform mechanical energy into alternating current.
- Dynamos: Transform mechanical energy into direct current.
- Batteries: Chemical containers that produce direct current through a chemical reaction.
- Photovoltaic Cells: Semiconductors that produce a potential difference between their extremes, transforming light energy into direct current.
Connection of Generators
- Series: Generators are connected like a chain, positive pole to negative pole. The total voltage is the sum of the individual voltages.
- Parallel: The positive poles are connected, and the negative poles are connected.
Electrical Receivers
Electrical receivers are circuit elements that transform electrical energy into another form of energy. Examples include:
- Motors: Transform electrical energy into mechanical energy (DC and AC motors).
- Lamps: Transform electrical energy into light.
- LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): Semiconductor devices that transform electrical energy into light. They only allow current to pass in one direction.
- Buzzers: Transform electrical energy into sound.
- Loudspeakers: Transform electrical energy into sound.
- Resistances: Reduce the current flow, producing heat and light.