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Electric Potential Difference
Read from Lesson 1 of the Current Electricity chapter at The Physics Classroom:
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MOP Connection: _Electric Circuits: sublevels 2 and parts of 3
Review:
1. Electric field is defined as the aura about the space surrounding a charged object that exerts an.
electrical influence upon other charged objects in that space. The direction of the electric field
vector is defined as the direction that a positive test charge would be accelerated. Potential energy
is the energy stored in an object du tothe postion ofthat object.
‘A Gravitational Analogy: Diagram A’ Diagram B
2. "Two diagrams are shown at the right. zs
Indiagram A, a mass is held at an
teneiadine Vienlegeee de A B
tna fal om point A topant
In diagram B, the mass is originally at
point A and a person moves it back up
to point B.
For each diagram, indicate if work is
done by a non-conservative force in
moving the object from its initial B
position (point A) to its position at point
B. Finally, indicate the position of
‘greatest gravitational potential energy.
i Wc done on mass
ircle the answers in the space below Wane
a = ee Yes aoe
or B
e diagrams.
teeing Highest PE
3. The following diagrams show an electric field and two points - labeled A and B - located within the
electric field. A positive test charge is shown at point A. For each diagram, indicate whether work
must be done upon the charge to move it from point A to point B. Finally, indicate the point (A or B)
with the greatest electric potential energy and the greatest electric potential (PE/ charge)
Ose | C=O
es eee is s Won uc? Go 8
5
Potential energy is greatest at: 3B | Potential energy is greatestat A
Electric potential is greatest at B___| Electric potential is grpatestat AOD
voce nts chalGiD eg vio done on terete? CG) or No
Potenal energy is great at Pochiacenylugensts AG
Hlectic potentials greatest at Electriepotental is greatestat! A (B)
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 Page1Electric Circuits
another, potential ener (ncreasts, decreases) and electric
potential 3 decreas
3. When work is done on a positive “oe rove it from one location to his is the
‘When a positive test charge naturally moves from one location to another
(without the exertion of a non-conservative force), potential energy.
(increases, and electric potential (increases, Idea
4. The diagram at the right shows a light bulb connected to a 12-V car
battery. ‘The + and - terminals are shown.
charge moves through the battery fro
loses) potential energy and
ial. The point of highest energy within
(G)-) terminal.
b. Asa t charge moyeg through the extemal circuit from A toD, i
fi (Gira jpotential energy and _ (gains, Gea)
lectzic potential The point of highest energy within the ext
circuits closest to the =) terminal
Use >, <, and = signs to compare the electric potential (V) at the four
points of the circuit.
vu P25 > & FS w
7 E Seema aayle nore, Bahween 8B
5. Therole ofa battery in an clecicalciruit ean Ba doserbed uibee dierent ways, Fist isthe curt C
energy supply. Second, the energy supplied by the battery is required to do work upon the charge
to move it against the electric field from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. And third, by
moving the charge against the field from negalive to positive terminal, the battery establishes an
electric potential difference across the two ends of the extemal circuit.
Without a potential difforence between two locations, charge will not move. When there is an
electric potential between two locations, charge will move
from the location of high potential to the location of low
potential. The amount of potential difference (AV) between
two locations is related to the work done in moving an
amount of charge (Q) from the low potential to the high,
potential location.
AV = Vaign ~ View = Hote
Q
a. Ittakes |S Jof work to move 1.0 C of charge from the -to the ~ terminal of a1.5-volt battery
bit we bey of work to move 20 C of charge from the-- to the + terminal of a 12-volt battery.
It takes 18] of work to move 1S C of charge from the -to the + terminal ofa 12-volt battery.
ad. It takes 12 Jof work to move 2.0 C of charge from the to the + terminal of a_(o_-volt battery
Fe. Ittakes Jof work to move _3.9C of charge from the - to the + terminal of a 12-volt battery.
6. Inthe battery, energy is supplied to the charge to move it
from low potential © terminal) to high potential (+ nvf-A,o
terminal). Once at the + terminal, the charge ade
spontaneously moves through the external drcuit, losing 4 =| 2
‘energy as it passes through each electrical device. The g] c>
electric potential that is gained by the charge when it passes {12V) 2
through the battery is lost by the charge as it moves &
through the external circuit. These gains and losees in ¥ EF
electric potential are often represented using an electric t ov!
potential diagram. For the circuit at the right, complete the
electric potential diagram, showing the relative potential of
locations A, B, C, D, E, and F.
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 Page2Electric Circuits Name:
Electric Circuits and Electric Current
Read from Lesson 2 of the Current Electricity chapter at The Physics Classroom:
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MOP Connection: Electric Circuits: sublevel 1
1. Tomaintain a charge flow in an electric circuit, atleast two requirements must be met;
#1 Anextemal energy supply (e.g, battery, wall outlet, generator, etc) to pump the charge
through the internal circuit and establish a potential difference across the cizeuit
: The external circuit must make up a "closed conducting loop” between the + and - terminal.
Utilize your understanding of these requirements to state whether charge would flow through the
following circuits. If there isno charge flow, then explain why not.
Charge Flow: Yes of Ni Charge Flow: Yes of No?)
Explanation Explanatio)
o-oo Ror Ws. | Mom Looy leeiw'f yn fre P o-eh f —
te
treseh
Charge Flow vedo) Charge Flow: Yes or Soest
Blonet msl
Caos wel Fm, ot he d:fferent
wilde’ € Ligne re Bvt paon Saeege el
i
ws
Charge Now ina cet often compared to wate low. For water to flow between two points there) () i
na acme oe tee ee ae bac
‘Water will only flow through a pipe if there isa diference in potential between the two ends. Charge :
will only flow through a wire f there is an electric potential difference acroce its ends, Psa a
oe oe
‘Water vron't flowif the tere ends i the two ends of the pipe areat
of the pipe are at the same potential. different potentials, thenwatervell flow.
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 Page 3Electric Circuits
2. Consider the two requirements for an electric circuit (described in question #1). When a light bulb is
burned out and no longer works, requirement #_
... 14-gauge wires (1/14 inch diameter)
. ... copper wiring ase
6. Resistance is not the only variable that affects the current in an electric cixcuit, The curcent is also
affected by the electric potential difference (AV) impressed across its ends. The electric potential
difference is simply the battery voliage. As the battery voltageieiqcreased (by swapping in higher
voltage batteries), the current is Gostense decreased)
‘The relationship between electric potential difference (AV), resistance (R) and current (I) is given be the
equation.
This equation, sometimes referred to as the(Ohiifs lawequation, is often written as AV =T+R. Like all
equations in physics, it can be used as a rec "lem-solving and an equation to guide one's
thinking about how an alteration in one variable affects another variable.
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 PagesElectric Circuits te z
7. Accircuit is set up such that ithas a current of 80 amps. What would be the new current if
a. ... the resistance (R) is increased by a factor of 27 4.0 A
’, the resistance (R) is increased by a factor of 4? oA
¢. «1 the resistance (R) is decreased by a factor of 3? 24,04
4. the battery voltage (AV) is increased by a factor of 3? ZU0A
«, «the battery voltage (AV) is decreased by a factor of 2° 2 40d
f. «the resistance (R) js increased by a factor of Zand the battery 2-24, _ Zo A
voltage (AV) is decreased by a factor of 2? 2
8
thersistance (Ris deceasedby afactor of4and the beley gy, #2 T0.A
voltage (AV) is increased by a factor of 3? ¥
8, Express your understanding of the use of the [= AV / R equation by filling in the following blanks,
a. Anelectrical device with a resistance of 2.0 S2has an electric potential difference of 6.0 V
impressed across it; the current in the device is_ 3 « &mperes.
b. Anclectrical device with a resistance of 3.0 @ has an electric potential difference of {2-0 V
impressed across it; the current in the device is 4.0 amperes.
& Anelectrical device with a resistance of _* % has an electric potential difference of 120 V
impressed across it; the current in the device is 6.0 amperes.
9. Resistors are electrical devices designed to have a specific resistance. They are inserted in circuits to
modify the actual current flowing through the circuit. When diagramming a circuit, a resistor is,
represented by the symbol
Which of the resistors in the two circuit Cor B) has the greatest resistance? Calculate the value.
Yolts
Circuit A Circuit B
10, Use arrows to show the direction of conventional current flow through the following circuits and
use the I= AV/R equation to fill in the blanks. Ben
Power Suppl
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 Page 6Electric Circuits Name:
Electrical Power and Energy
Read from Lessons 2 and 3 of the Current Electricity chapter at The Physics Classroom.
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MOP Connection: Electric Circuits: sublevel 3
\
Review: devi <
1 The lec potent at given ocaton ina cit the amount off heir
atthat ct The can of highest potential within ara tthe ae, “Fie
the battery. As charge moves through the extemal circuit from the (+, -)tothe_—=_ (+,
) terminal, the charge loses potential energy._ As charge moves through the battery, it gains
potential energy, The difference in electric potential between any two locations wih itis
Known as the electric potential difference; itis sometimes called the EMP nd
| represeated by the symbol BN The sate at which charge moves usb ar Soi Song the ceeuit
is known as the and is expressed with the unit :
“The diagram at the right depicts an electric circuit in acar. The rear LB
defroster is connected to the 12-Volt car battery. Several points are labeled
along the circuit. Use this diagram for questions #2-#6, =>
2. Change flowing through this circuit possesses 0 J of potential energy —s
at point
3. ‘The overall effect of this circuitis to convert energy into___ener
a. electrical, chemical Br cverical, mechanical
thermal, electrical (@phemical, thermal
4. ‘The potential energy of the charge at point A jz Che potential energy at B.
a. greaterthan —. less than spproximately equal to
5. The+ charge gains potential energy as it moves between points __ap@_.
a. AandB b. Band C © CandD and Ae, none of these
6, ‘The + charge loses pofential energy as it moves between points__and_
a AandB (eB and c ©. Cand D d.Dand Ae. none of these
7. ‘The rate at which energy is delivered to a circuit by the energy source or the rate at which energy is
consumed by an electrical device is known as the electric
ae Pea ett — Bone
Hea ae cepts
eet Grex on
9. Mechanical power (discussed in a previous unit isthe rate at which work is done on an object.
Electrical power is the rate at which work is done on a charge (by the battery) or on an electrical
deviee (by the charge). In terms of an equation, it 18... (Fil in the numerator and the
denominator.)
power = Wark. seat ace
wer ae
a. A.60-Watt light bulb uses up 221,200} of energy when left on fori hour (3600 5).
. A 60-Wat light bulb uses up Ble ,@0O | of energy when left on for 4 hours
c. A 1500-Watthair dryer uses up 460,000 J of energy when used for 5 min (300s).
4. A 120-Wattfan uses up £0, £6 8,000 of energy when left on for a day. Fo, 00S
00
© The Physics Classroom, 2009 Page7u
2
3B.
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© The Physics Classroom, 2009
‘Use these equ Ive the following ie
a Pes ae z 0-H her ET a 0 os
AVEO 75 = Dos WO as
pe goo 2? SP soo [Re is.8
. Calculate the resistance of the 1000 W microwave oven that gets plugged into to a 110-V outlet
P= 009 vt Mot
Bv= wo @2? Pe Ye woe MEY (A= ta \
¢. The TI-84 calculator uses four 1.5-V batteries and has a power of 0.0008 W. Whatis the current?
AN= & =? Pe TAV =
P= 0008 .ov0g= T+6 2A [ Ts .O0v0id \
‘The following two circuits consist of a power supply, an ammeter (for nieaSUARG Garrent), and a
light bulb. Use >, <, and = symbols to compare the electric potential at A to B and at C to D.
Indicate whether the devices add energy to or remove energy from the charge. Finally, fill in all
Sanks
I= 2emps ad +r Gomer) >
vay
—(&) Enen fepanil
&,<,01
Lo
12 veep
Y¥olts (=, <, or=)
Suppl x
2 pply -24 watts vy = vp
Re (>, <, or=)
Gad Remove PeEave2h) &*
TRUE or QUESE) —Adowaehoy i a yttet poner Peo
wk OF ates
Alfredo deDarke often leaves household appliances GR Tor to good reason (atleast according to his
pares) The deDatie family pays 16¢/idlowais hour (2 §.15/kW eh) for thei lectit enrgy
Express your understanding of dolar power by filing inthe following table.
Power Rating Time nergy Used Cost
(Wat) urs) Gcilowatt-hou:) ‘s)
60 Watt Bulb 1 0.060 kWehe 30.008
60 Watt Bulb @ 0.140 WW-he 0.036
“Ten 60 Watt Bulb 2h Loxty= MukWlhe 83.1
(60 Watt Bulb had 6.1 Why] 10
7 Watt Night Light 168 OT «WT = 1.196 Leb 0,10
7 Watt Night Light 3760 Gh3z 4.198
People often claim that an electrical appliance “uses up electricity." Explain what is actually being,
“used up" and what becomes of this thig that is being used up.
tnorgy Ty ute al a ee
Vt Wigy causes tre mrobon o hay,
Toy fea otilthy te gk oe
mary 8 potElectric Circuits Nam
Mathematical Relationships in Circuits
Read from Lessons 2 and 3 of the Current Electricity chapter at The Physics Classroom:
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MOP Connection: Electric Circuits: sublevels 5 and 6
1, Matching: Identify the units on the following electrical quantities by placing letter in the blank.
‘The unit of charge is the AV Choices: A. Coulombs
‘The unit of electric potential is the C-. B. Amperes
‘The unit of powers the _F. C. Volts
‘The unit of potential energy is the E-. D. Ohms
The unit of currents the _E). E, Joules
‘The unit of resistance is the 12. F. Watts
2 Anelectric potential diagram is a useful means of representing the potential of a positive charge as
it moves around a circuit. The electric potential of a charge at strategic locations in a circuit is
represented on a chart. Points on the circuit where the charge has the highest potential are located
highest on the chart; points of lowest potential ae located lowest on the charts. At some points on
the circut, charges have approximately the same amount of potential. Construct electric potential
diagrams for the following circuits. Label the points
a b.
3. Given the circuit atthe right with the listed
current and resistance values, determine the