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Science Questions

The document discusses several topics related to electricity and circuits: - It describes the charge of protons and electrons, how objects become electrostatically charged through friction, conduction, or induction, and the components of an electric circuit. - It then asks questions about identifying parts of circuits, the purpose of batteries, the difference between conductors and insulators, how semiconductors work, and safety during lightning storms. - The document continues asking questions about the roles of parts in a circuit, what particle moves in a circuit, how to measure current, the differences between AC and DC, and series vs parallel circuits.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
40 views8 pages

Science Questions

The document discusses several topics related to electricity and circuits: - It describes the charge of protons and electrons, how objects become electrostatically charged through friction, conduction, or induction, and the components of an electric circuit. - It then asks questions about identifying parts of circuits, the purpose of batteries, the difference between conductors and insulators, how semiconductors work, and safety during lightning storms. - The document continues asking questions about the roles of parts in a circuit, what particle moves in a circuit, how to measure current, the differences between AC and DC, and series vs parallel circuits.

Uploaded by

Muhammad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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7.

1 Questions

1. Identify the charge on the following particles:


a. Protons: Protons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of atoms.
They carry a positive electric charge, which is exactly equal in magnitude to
the charge of electrons but of opposite sign. The charge of a proton is
approximately +1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs.

b. Electrons: Electrons are also subatomic particles and are found outside
the atomic nucleus in electron shells or orbitals. Electrons carry a negative
electric charge, and the charge of an electron is approximately -1.602 x 10^-
19 coulombs. This charge is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the
charge of protons.

2. Describe how objects can become electrostatically charged:


Objects can become electrostatically charged through several processes:

Friction: When two materials are rubbed against each other, electrons can
transfer from one material to the other. The material that gains electrons
becomes negatively charged, while the one losing electrons becomes
positively charged.

Conduction: When a charged object comes into direct contact with an


uncharged conductor, electrons can move between them, equalizing the
charges. This can result in the conductor becoming charged.

Induction: When a charged object is brought near an uncharged conductor,


it can influence the distribution of electrons in the conductor. This causes
one side to become oppositely charged to the nearby object.

3. Describe an electric circuit:


An electric circuit is a closed pathway or loop through which electric
current can flow. It consists of the following components:
Power Source: This component provides the electromotive force (EMF),
such as a battery or generator, necessary to push electric charges through
the circuit.

Conductors: These are typically made of materials with low resistance, like
copper wires, which allow the flow of electric charge. Conductors connect
the various components of the circuit, forming a complete path.

Load or Components: These are devices connected in the circuit, like light
bulbs, resistors, or motors, which use the electrical energy to perform
specific functions.

4. Identify the three parts of the electrical circuit shown in Figure 3:

Switch: The switch allows users to manually turn the circuit on or off. It is
the part you can control to supply or interrupt electrical power.

Tripping Mechanism: This mechanism automatically opens the circuit


when it detects an electrical fault, such as overcurrent or a short circuit. It's
a safety feature to prevent damage and hazards.

Reset Mechanism: After the circuit breaker has tripped due to a fault, there
is a reset mechanism that lets you manually reset or close the circuit once
the issue has been addressed. This feature allows for the circuit breaker to
be reused.

Explain the purpose of a battery in a circuit:


A battery serves two primary purposes in an electric circuit:

Providing Voltage: The battery creates a potential difference (voltage)


between its terminals. This voltage is what drives the flow of electric
current through the circuit.
Storing Chemical Energy: Batteries store energy in the form of chemical
potential energy. When a circuit is closed, a chemical reaction within the
battery converts this stored energy into electrical energy, allowing it to
power connected devices.
Contrast a conductor and an insulator:

Conductor: Conductors are materials that permit the easy flow of electric
charge. They have a high density of free electrons that can move in response
to an electric field. Metals, like copper and aluminum, are excellent
conductors.

Insulator: Insulators are materials that do not allow the flow of electric
charge. They have very few free electrons and high resistance to electrical
flow. Common insulators include rubber, plastic, glass, and wood.

5. Describe how a semiconductor works:


Semiconductors, like silicon and germanium, have properties between
those of conductors and insulators. They can be used to control the flow of
electric charge in electronic devices. Here's how they work:

Doping: Semiconductors can be "doped" by intentionally adding impurities


(e.g., boron or phosphorus) to the crystal structure. This introduces extra
electrons (n-type doping) or electron "holes" (p-type doping).

P-N Junction: When a p-type and an n-type semiconductor are brought


together, they form a p-n junction. This junction creates a barrier to
electron flow.

Controlled Conductivity: By applying a voltage across the p-n junction, you


can control the flow of electric charge. When the voltage is applied in a
certain way, the barrier is reduced, allowing current to flow. This behavior
is the basis for transistors and diodes in electronic circuits.

6. Why it is important not to stand outside in open land during a


lightning storm:
During a lightning storm, it's essential not to stand outside in open land
due to the following reasons:

Risk of Being Struck: Lightning is a massive discharge of electrical energy


that seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. If you are standing in
open land, you might provide a more accessible path for lightning to follow,
putting you at risk of being struck.

Conduction in Living Organisms: While humans and animals are not good
conductors of electricity, our bodies contain water and salts, which can
conduct electricity to some extent. Lightning can cause serious injuries
even if it doesn't strike directly because the electrical current can travel
through the ground and affect anyone in its path.

Safety Measures: It's safer to seek shelter indoors during a lightning storm
to minimize the risk of being affected by lightning or its electrical discharge.
Staying away from open fields, tall objects, and bodies of water can also
reduce the risk of being struck by lightning.

7.2 Questions
1. Identify and describe the role of each of the main parts of a circuit:
Power Source: The power source (e.g., battery or generator) provides the
electromotive force (EMF) or voltage necessary to push electric current
through the circuit. It supplies electrical energy.
Conductors: Conductors are materials (typically wires) that facilitate the
flow of electric charge. They form the pathways for current to travel within
the circuit.
Load/Components: Loads or components are devices within the circuit that
use the electrical energy. They perform various functions, such as lighting a
bulb, powering a motor, or running an electronic device.

2. Identify the subatomic particle that moves in an electric circuit:


Electrons are the subatomic particles that move in an electric circuit.
Electrons carry a negative charge and are responsible for the flow of electric
current.

3. Describe how you could stop the charged particles flowing in a circuit:

To stop the flow of charged particles (electrons) in a circuit, you can open
the circuit by using a switch or disconnecting one of the conductors. When
the circuit is open, there is no closed pathway for electrons to flow, and the
circuit is interrupted.

4. Contrast AC and DC:

AC (Alternating Current): AC is a type of electrical current in which the


direction of electron flow periodically reverses. It is characterized by a
sinusoidal waveform. AC is commonly used for power distribution because
it can be easily transformed to different voltages and is suitable for long-
distance transmission.

DC (Direct Current): DC is a type of electrical current in which electrons


flow in a constant direction. It has a steady voltage level and does not
change polarity. DC is often used in battery-operated devices and many
electronic circuits.

5. Identify the direction of:


a. Conventional Current: Conventional current flows from the positive
terminal of a power source to the negative terminal. This direction is
opposite to the actual movement of electrons in a circuit.
b. Electrons in a Circuit: Electrons move from the negative terminal of a
power source (e.g., a battery) to the positive terminal. This is the actual
direction of electron flow in a circuit.

6. Describe how an ammeter or multimeter must be connected to


measure the current in a circuit:
To measure current in a circuit using an ammeter or multimeter, it must be
connected in series with the circuit. In other words, it is connected along
the pathway that the current takes. Here's how you should connect it:
Open the circuit at the point where you want to measure the current.
Connect the ammeter or multimeter in series by placing it in line with the
current path. The current will flow through the meter.
Close the circuit again and ensure that the ammeter or multimeter is set to
the appropriate current range for accurate measurement.
The device will display the current flowing through the circuit.

7. I believe the globe in figure c will work/ turn on.

7.3 Questions

1. Contrast the movement of current in a series circuit and a parallel


circuit:

In a series circuit, the current flows through each component in a single,


continuous path. The same current passes through all components one
after the other. If one component in a series circuit fails (e.g., a light bulb
burns out), the entire circuit is interrupted, and all components go dark.

In a parallel circuit, the current splits into multiple branches, and each
component is connected directly to the power source. Each component has
its own path for current. If one component in a parallel circuit fails, the
others continue to operate independently.
Party lights in Figure 2:
a. To determine whether the globes are connected in series or parallel, you
can follow the wires that connect the globes. In a series connection, the wire
goes from one globe to the next in a single chain. In a parallel connection,
each globe has its own separate wire leading back to the power source.
b.

2. Advantage of a safety switch or fuse in electric circuits:

The primary advantage of having a safety switch or fuse in the electric


circuits of your house is safety. These devices are designed to protect
against overcurrent situations, such as short circuits or electrical faults.
If an overcurrent event occurs, the safety switch or fuse will interrupt the
circuit, preventing further flow of electricity. This helps prevent electrical
fires, damage to appliances, and electric shock hazards.
Safety switches, in particular, provide additional protection by monitoring
for imbalances in current (e.g., due to a ground fault), which can help
prevent electrocution.

3. Current flowing in lamps connected in series:

When lamps are connected in series, the same current flows through each
lamp. In this case, with three lamps in series and a total current of 12 A,
each lamp would also have a current of 12 A. This is because the current
remains constant in a series circuit.

4. Household appliances connected in your house:


Household appliances are typically connected in parallel circuits. In a
parallel circuit, each appliance has its own individual branch connected
directly to the power source (e.g., an electrical outlet). This arrangement
allows each appliance to operate independently of the others, and a failure
in one appliance does not affect the others. An example of this is how
multiple appliances can be used simultaneously in a household without
affecting each other's operation.

5. Double adaptors and power boards:

Double adaptors and power boards are more likely to use parallel
connections. Each outlet on a power board or double adaptor is connected
in parallel, allowing multiple devices to be plugged in, each having its own
separate branch connected to the power source. This setup ensures that
each device can operate independently and does not affect the others,
which is a characteristic of parallel circuits.

6. Circuit diagram for the electrician's arrangement of lamps:

The electrician could connect two lamps in parallel to one branch of the
circuit and another two lamps in a separate parallel branch. The first pair of
lamps would have a 6 A current, and the second pair would have a 3 A
current each, meeting the requirements.

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