CIRCUITS

ELECTRICAL SYMBOLSElectrical Device

Symbol Function Water Equivalent

Wire Paths for electricity to flow

Pipes

Battery Pushes electricity through circuit

Pump

Switch Turns electricity on and off

Valve

Resistor Resists the flow of electricity

Restriction in a pipe

Light bulb Lights up; resists electricity

No equivalent

+

-

IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND TERMS

The flow of electricity always travels around the circuit from the (+) end of the battery toward the (-) end.

Voltage: Pushes Electrons, electrical potential Measured in Volts (V)

Current: Flow of Electrons through a circuit Measured in Amps (a)

Resistance: Resists Current Flow Measured in Ohms (Ώ)

THESE THREE QUANTITIES ARE LINKED – CHANGE ONE AND ONE OR BOTH OF THE OTHERS WILL CHANGE AS WELL!!

I = V/R OHM’S LAW

Current Symbol: IUnit: amps (A)

Voltage Symbol: VUnit: volts (v)

Resistance Symbol: RUnit: ohms (Ώ)