Circuit And Symbols Worksheet Answers

Circuit Symbols and Circuit Diagrams

Thus far, this unit of The Physics Classroom tutorial has focused on the central ingredients of an electric excursion and upon the concepts of electric potential difference, electric current and resistance. Conceptual meaning of terms accept been introduced and applied to simple circuits. Mathematical relationships between electrical quantities have been discussed and their utilize in solving bug has been modeled. Lesson four volition focus on the means by which two or more electrical devices can be continued to course an electrical circuit. Our discussion will progress from simple circuits to mildly complex circuits. Former principles of electric potential difference, electric current and resistance will be applied to these complex circuits and the aforementioned mathematical formulas volition be used to clarify them.

Electric circuits, whether uncomplicated or complex, can be described in a variety of ways. An electric circuit is commonly described with mere words. Proverb something similar "A lite bulb is connected to a D-cell" is a sufficient amount of words to draw a elementary circuit. On many occasions in Lessons i through 3, words take been used to describe unproblematic circuits. Upon hearing (or reading) the words, a person grows accustomed to quickly picturing the circuit in their mind. But another ways of describing a circuit is to just draw it. Such drawings provide a quicker mental picture of the actual circuit. Circuit drawings like the 1 below have been used many times in Lessons ane through iii.

Describing Circuits with Words

"A circuit contains a light bulb and a ane.5-Volt D-jail cell."

Describing Circuits with Drawings

A terminal means of describing an electric circuit is by use of conventional excursion symbols to provide a schematic diagram of the circuit and its components. Some excursion symbols used in schematic diagrams are shown below.

A unmarried cell or other ability source is represented by a long and a short parallel line. A collection of cells or battery is represented past a drove of long and short parallel lines. In both cases, the long line is representative of the positive terminal of the energy source and the short line represents the negative terminal. A straight line is used to stand for a connecting wire betwixt any two components of the circuit. An electrical device that offers resistance to the period of charge is generically referred to equally a resistor and is represented past a zigzag line. An open switch is generally represented by providing a intermission in a straight line by lifting a portion of the line upward at a diagonal. These circuit symbols will exist often used throughout the rest of Lesson 4 as electric circuits are represented past schematic diagrams. It will be of import to either memorize these symbols or to refer to this curt listing frequently until yous become accustomed to their use.

As an illustration of the use of electrical symbols in schematic diagrams, consider the following two examples.

Example 1:

Description with Words: Three D-cells are placed in a battery pack to power a circuit containing 3 light bulbs.

Using the verbal clarification, one tin learn a mental picture of the circuit being described. This verbal description tin then be represented by a drawing of three cells and three light bulbs connected by wires. Finally, the circuit symbols presented above can be used to represent the same circuit. Annotation that three sets of long and brusque parallel lines have been used to stand for the battery pack with its three D-cells. And note that each light bulb is represented past its own individual resistor symbol. Direct lines take been used to connect the two terminals of the battery to the resistors and the resistors to each other.

The above circuits presumed that the three light bulbs were connected in such a way that the charge flowing through the circuit would pass through each ane of the three calorie-free bulbs in consecutive manner. The path of a positive test charge leaving the positive concluding of the battery and traversing the external circuit would involve a passage through each one of the three connected light bulbs before returning to the negative terminal of the battery. Just is this the only way that three calorie-free bulbs can be continued? Practise they have to be connected in consecutive fashion as shown above? Absolutely not! In fact, example 2 below contains the same exact description with the drawing and the schematic diagrams existence drawn differently.

Example 2:

Description with Words: Three D-cells are placed in a battery pack to power a circuit containing three light bulbs.

Using the verbal description, one can acquire a mental motion-picture show of the circuit beingness described. But this time, the connections of lite bulbs is done in a style such that there is a signal on the circuit where the wires co-operative off from each other. The branching location is referred to every bit a node . Each light seedling is placed in its own separate branch. These branch wires eventually connect to each other to course a second node. A single wire is used to connect this 2nd node to the negative terminal of the battery.

These two examples illustrate the two common types of connections made in electric circuits. When ii or more than resistors are nowadays in a circuit, they tin can be continued in series or in parallel. The remainder of Lesson 4 will be devoted to a study of these two types of connections and the issue that they have upon electrical quantities such every bit current, resistance and electric potential. The next role of Lesson 4 will introduce the distinction between serial and parallel connections.

Bank check Your Understanding

1. Use circuit symbols to construct schematic diagrams for the post-obit circuits:

a. A single cell, light bulb and switch are placed together in a circuit such that the switch can exist opened and closed to turn the light bulb on.

b. A 3-pack of D-cells is placed in a circuit to power a flashlight bulb.

2. Use the concept of conventional current to draw an unbroken line on the schematic diagram at the correct that indicates the direction of the conventional current. Place an arrowhead on your unbroken line.