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PH - Circuits
Physics: DC and AC Circuits - KAPLAN/MCAT in a box
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Permittivity of Free Space, ε0 | A term denoted by ε0 used in the calculation of capacitance, give by the equation C = ε0 A/d, where A is the area of one plate and d is the distance between the plates. |
Node | The point of zero displacement in a standing wave |
Longitudinal Wave | Type of wave, such as sound, whose oscillation is along the direction of it's motion |
Dieletric Constant | A dimensionless number that indicates the factor by which capacitance is increased when a dielectric is placed in between the plates of a capacitor, given by C' = KC, where C' is the new capacitance. |
Direct Current | Current that flows through a conductor in one direction only. |
Electric Circuit | A conducting pathway that contains one or more voltage sources that drive an electric current along that pathway and through connected passive circuit elements (such as resistors). |
Electromotive Force | The energy gained by an electron when it is accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt, given by qV where q is 1.6 x 10^-19 C and V is 1 volt. |
Electron Volt | The voltage created by a potential difference between the two terminals of a cell when no current is flowing. |
Insulator | A material in which electrons canot move freely. |
Kirchhoff's Laws (A) | A) In accordance with the conservation of electric charge, the sum of currents directed into a node or junction point in a circuit equals the sum of the current directed away from that point. |
Kirchhoff's Laws (B) | B) The sum of the voltage sources in a circuit loop is equal to the sum of voltage drops along that loop. |
Ohm' Law | Law stating that the voltage drop across a resistor is proportional to the current flowing through it, given by the equation V = I R. |
Resistivity | Intrinsic property of a conductor denoted by R = ρ L/A, where L is the length of the conductor and A is its cross-sectional area. |
RMS Current | A quantity used to calculate the average power dissipated in an AC circuit, given by I[max] = √2. This equation must be used because the average current, when calculated by conventional means, equals 0 as a result of the periodic nature of that current. |
RMS Voltage | V[max] = √2; the average voltage in an AC circuit, where the voltage alternates in a sinusoidal pattern. |
Amplitude | The point of maximum displacement from the equilibrium position. |
Conductor | A material in which electrons can move with relative ease. |
Dielectric | An insulating material placed between the two plates of a capacitor. If the circuit is plugged into a current source, more charge will be stored in the capacitor. If not plugged into a current source, the voltage of the capacitor will decrease. |
Power Dissipated by Resistor | The rate at which the energy of flowing charges through a resistor is dissipated, given by the equation P = I V. |
Resistance | The natural tendency of a conductor to block current flow to a certain extent resulting in loss of energy or potential. Resistance is equal to the ratio of the voltage applied to the resulting current. |