Circuits - 1

Thus far, we have only discussed "static" (stationary) charges.  Static charges alone are useful, but not nearly as much as charges in motion.  As you recall, electrons are the most easily moved particles.  However, for sake of ease in sign convention (positive vs. negative), we define the following:

Current (I) - the rate at which positive charge "flows"

I = Q/t

The unit is the coulomb per second, defined as an ampere (A).  One ampere (or amp) is a tremendous amount of current - more than enough to kill a person.  In fact, you can feel as little as 0.01 A.  Typical currents in a circuit are on the order of mA (milliamperes).

We need to define other new quantities in electricity:  voltage, resistance, power.

Voltage (V) - the amount of available energy per coulomb of charge.  The unit is the joule per coulomb, called a volt (V, in honor of Allesandro Volta, inventer of the battery).

V = E/Q

Resistance (R) - the ratio of voltage applied to an electrical device to the current that results through the device.  Alternately:  the amount by which the voltage is "dropped" per ampere of current.

R = V/I

You can also think of resistance as that which "resists" current.  Typically, resistors are made of things that are semi-conductive (they conduct current, but less well than conductors and better than insulators).  Resistors are often made of carbon, but can also be made of silicon and other materials.  The unit is the volt per ampere, defined as an ohm (Greek symbol omega)

A convenient way to relate all of the variables is embodied in an expression often called Ohm's Law:

V = I R

But what exactly IS a circuit?

An electrical circuit can be thought of as a complete "loop" through which charge can travel.  Therefore, it actually has to be physically complete - there can be no openings.  That is, the current actually has to have a full path to take.

Also consider electrical power (P).  Power is the rate at which energy is used or expended:  energy per time.  Symbolically:  P = E / t.  The unit is the joule per second, called a watt (W).  In electricity, power is also given by:

P = I V

P = I^2 R

Summary:

Voltage (V) - amount of available energy per coulomb of charge.  The unit is volt (also V).

Current (I) - how quickly charge travels (or charge per time, q/t).  The unit (a coulomb per second) is called the ampere (or amp, A). 

Resistance (R) - a way of expressing how much charge is resisted through a device.  It is expressed as a ratio of applied voltage to the resulting current (V/I).  The unit (a volt per amp) is called an ohm (represented as the Greek symbol omega).

Power (P) - rate at which energy is produced or expended (E/t).  Energy per time.  Unit is the joule per second, called a watt (W).  In electricity:  P = I^2 R

Batteries and other sources (such as wall sockets) "provide" voltage, which is really a difference between TWO points (marked + and - on a battery).  A wall outlet is a bit more complex - there are 2 prongs, but often also a third prong (the "ground", for safety purposes, through which excess charge can travel back to the Earth).

Some folks like analogies.  Consider a water analogy.  Voltage is like a tank of water (how much water).  Resistance is provided by a drain or faucet.  The rate at which water comes out is the current.  It's only an analogy, but it gets the gist of circuit terminology ok.