National 4 Summary Notes - Marshallsay Physics...National 4 – Electricity and Energy - Summary Notes Truth Tables Truth Tables are used to show how a logic gate works. In a Truth

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National 4

Electricity and Energy

Summary Notes

Name: ____________________________

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National 4 – Electricity and Energy - Summary Notes

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Current Electric current is due to the flow of electrons.

Electrons are negative charges which are found in an atom.

Measuring Current Current is measured using an ammeter.

To measure the current through a component always connect the ammeter in series

with the component. This means breaking the circuit to insert the ammeter.

Before

After

The circuit has an ammeter inserted in series with the lamp.

Measuring Voltage

Voltage is a measure of the energy given to the charges in a circuit.

Voltage is measured using a voltmeter.

Voltage is measured in volts (V).

To measure the voltage across a component, always connect the voltmeter in

parallel with the component.

This can be done without breaking the circuit. The voltmeter forms another

parallel branch across the component.

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Before

After

This circuit has a voltmeter connected in parallel across a lamp.

Series Circuits When components are connected to allow only one path for current, we say that the

components are connected in series.

This diagrams shows three lamps connected in series.

Parallel Circuits When components are connected to allow more than one path for current, we say

that the components are connected in parallel.

This diagram shows two lamps connected in parallel.

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Resistance Materials oppose the flow of current and some materials oppose the flow by more

than others. The opposition to the flow of current is called resistance. An increase in

resistance will cause a decrease in the current.

Measuring Resistance Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).

Resistance can be measured using an ohmmeter.

To measure resistance connect the ohmmeter directly across the resistor.

Ohm’s Law The circuit shown below can also be used to find the value of a resistor.

Use the ammeter to get a value of the current through the resistor.

Use the voltmeter to get a value of the voltage across the resistor.

Use the following equation to calculate the resistance of the resistor.

This equation is a statement of Ohm’s Law.

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Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s Law can also be written using symbols as:-

V = I x R

Where,

Voltage is represented by the symbol – V

Current is represented by the symbol – I

Resistance is represented by the symbol – R

Example One

The current through a resistor is 0.1amperes when the voltage across it is 12volts.

Calculate the resistance.

Current = 0.1amperes

Voltage = 12volts

Resistance =?

Example Two What is the value of the voltage across a 6Ω resistor when a current of 2amperes is

flowing through the resistor?

R = 6Ω I = 2A V =?

V = I x R

V = 2 x 6

V = 12V

Example Three A 24V battery is connected to an 8Ω resistor. What is the value of the current that

flows through the resistor?

V = 24V R = 8Ω I =?

V = I x R

24 = I x 8

I = 3A

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Electronics Every electronic system can be divided into three parts – input, process and output.

The input part detects a type of energy and then changes it into electrical energy.

The process part is used to process the electrical energy.

The output part changes the electrical energy into a useful type of energy.

Electronic systems are often shown as block diagrams.

Calculator System

The keypad detects kinetic energy and changes it to electrical energy.

The calculating circuits process the electrical energy.

The display changes the electrical energy into light energy.

Public Address System

The microphone detects sound energy and changes it to electrical energy.

The amplifier process the electrical energy.

The loudspeaker changes the electrical energy into sound energy.

Output Devices

Device Symbol Energy Change

Loudspeaker

Electrical to Sound

Buzzer

Electrical to Sound

Lamp

Electrical to Light

L.E.D

Electrical to Light

Motor

Electrical to Kinetic

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National 4 – Electricity and Energy -Summary Notes

Input Devices

Device Symbol Energy Change Microphone

Sound to Electrical

Thermistor

Heat to Electrical

LDR

Light to Electrical

Switch Kinetic to Electrical

Process Devices

A group of devices that are used to process electrical signals are called logic gates.

Three common logic gates are shown below.

NOT-gate

The output from a NOT-gate is the opposite of the input. The symbol for the NOT-

gate is:-

AND–gate

The AND-gate will only give an output signal when both input A and input B are

switched on. The symbol for the AND-gate is:-

OR-gate

The OR-gate will give an output signal when input A or input B or both inputs are

switched on. The symbol for the OR-gate is:-

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Truth Tables Truth Tables are used to show how a logic gate works.

In a Truth Table a logic level “1” represents a high voltage or a device that is

switched on.

In a Truth Table a logic level “0” represents a low voltage or a device that is switched

off.

The Truth Table for a NOT-gate is shown below.

Input Output

0 1

1 0

The Truth Table for an AND-gate is shown below.

Input A Input B Output

0 0 0

0 1 0

1 0 0

1 1 1

The Truth Table for an OR-gate is shown below.

Input A Input B Output

0 0 0

0 1 1

1 0 1

1 1 1

Electrical Power Electrical power is a measure of the energy transferred to an appliance every second.

Power is measured in Watts (W).

Powerful household appliances are likely to change electrical energy into heat

energy.

The following equation lets you calculate how much energy an appliance uses.

energy = power x time

This equation can be written using symbols as,

E = P x t

where,

E is energy measured in Joules (J).

P is power measured in Watts (W).

t is time measured in seconds (s).

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This equation shows that electrical energy costs will increase when,

the time of use increases

the power of the appliance increases

To save energy and money, always switch off appliances after use.

Example One

How much energy is used by a 3kW kettle that is switched on for five minutes?

P = 3kW = 3000W t = 5minutes = 5 x 60 = 300s E =?

E = P x t

E = 3000 x 300

E = 900,000J

Example Two

How much energy is used by a 5W computer screen which is switched on for 4hours?

P = 5W t = 4hours = 4 x 60 x 60 = 14,400s E =?

E = P x t

E = 5 x 14400

E = 72,000J

Electrical Power and Current When an appliance has a high power rating, the greater the value of current that flows

in the appliance.

For household appliances the current that flows to them is controlled by a fuse in the

plug. The symbol for a fuse is shown below.

In the UK the two most common values of fuse are 3amperes (3A) and 13amperes

(13A).

As a general rule if the power rating is 700W or more, a 13A fuse must be used. If the

power rating is less than 700W, a 3A fuse must be used.

Some other important information on the rating plates of household appliances is:-

the value of the mains voltage, which is 230V for the UK.

the double insulation symbol (shown below), which indicates that the

appliance does not need an Earth wire.

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Efficiency

There are main occasions when we want to change energy from one type into another,

for example electrical energy to light energy in a lamp. Unfortunately, appliances

often produce unwanted types of energy, like heat in a light bulb or sound from an

electric motor.

Efficiency is a measure of how much useful energy (or power) an appliance can

produce. Efficiency is usually quoted as a percentage and can be calculated using the

following equation.

Example

When the total energy input to a microwave is 4000J the useful energy output is

2400J. What is the efficiency of the microwave?

Electromagnetism

A permanent magnet (e.g. a fridge magnet) has a permanent magnet field around it.

We cannot see the magnetic field but we can see how it affects objects, e.g.

iron based objects are attracted to the permanent magnet

a compass needle will change direction in the magnetic field around a

permanent magnet

The magnetic field around a permanent magnet can be drawn by using magnetic field

lines. This is shown below.

All permanent magnets have a fixed North-pole (N in the diagram) and a fixed South-

pole (S in the diagram).

The arrows on the field lines always point towards the South-pole.

When the field lines are close together this means the magnetic field is strong.

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When two North-poles (or two South-poles) of permanent magnets are brought

together they will repel each other.

When opposite poles (one North and one South) of two permanent magnets are

brought together they will attract each other.

A magnetic field can also be created by passing a current through a wire. This will be

a weak magnetic field.

To make the magnetic field stronger, the wire can be made into a coil. This is called a

solenoid.

To make the magnetic field a lot stronger an iron nail can be placed inside the coil.

This is called an electromagnet.

Some applications of electromagnets are:

Loudspeakers

Fire-door retainers

Scrapyard magnets

Electric bells

Failsafe brakes on rollercoasters

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Generation of Electricity

When a current carrying wire is placed in a magnetic field, the wire will be given

movement energy. If the wire is free to spin a simple electric motor can be built.

When a moving magnetic field is placed near a wire, the wire can have electrical

energy induced in it. If the magnetic field is able to rotate (spin) an electrical

generator can be built.

Dynamo

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Generator

A rotating magnetic field is used in the electrical generators of most power stations. A

turbine is normally used to make the magnetic field rotate.

In non-renewable power stations a fuel, e.g. coal, is used to produce heat. This heat is

used to turn water into steam. The steam is then used to operate the turbine.

All non-renewable power stations can generate a lot of electrical energy.

The non-renewable power stations that use fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) also produce

a lot of atmospheric pollution.

The non-renewable power stations that use nuclear fuel generate the most electrical

energy per kilogram of fuel but they also produce radioactive waste. This radioactive

waste can be harmful to living cells and can be hard to store or destroy.

In the future, the fuels needed for non-renewable power stations will run out and other

methods of electrical generation will need to be used.

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Energy sources which will not run out include wind and water. These energy sources

can also be used to operate the turbines in a power station.

Renewable power stations do not generate a lot of electrical energy and can be

expensive to set up. However, renewable energy power stations produce very little

atmospheric pollution.

Non-renewable

Energy Sources

Renewable

Energy Sources

coal wind

oil solar

gas hydro (water)

nuclear waves

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Kinetic Theory of Gases

The kinetic theory of gases uses a model to explain how they behave. This model

states that:-

Gases are made up of lots of very small particles

Gas particles are very far apart

Gas particles move in a random fashion

Gas particles move at very high speeds

When gas particles collide with any object they do not lose any kinetic

energy

The kinetic theory of gases will no longer be true when the temperature reaches

-2730C. At this temperature the particles have no kinetic energy and will be unable to

move. This temperature is called absolute zero or zero Kelvin (OK)

The kinetic theory allows the gas properties of pressure, volume and temperature to

be related to each other by a set of rules known as the Gas Laws. For all three laws it

can be assumed that the gas has a fixed mass.

Boyle’s Law

When the volume of a container of gas is decreased, the pressure exerted by the gas in

the container will increase. Assuming the temperature of the gas does not change.

Pressure Law

When the temperature of a gas in a container is increased, the pressure exerted by the

gas on the container will also increase. Assuming the volume of the container does

not change.

Charles’ Law

When the temperature of a gas is increased, the volume taken up by the gas will also

increase. Assuming the pressure exerted by the gas does not change.

Example

Q. A driver checks his tyre pressure before and after a long journey. Assuming the

volume of the tyres does not change, will the pressure reading be higher before or

after the journey. Explain your answer.

A. After. The tyres will have a higher temperature, which will cause the air inside

them to have more kinetic energy and this will allow the gas to exert more pressure on

the tyre.

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National 4 Summary Notes - Marshallsay Physics...National 4 – Electricity and Energy - Summary Notes Truth Tables Truth Tables are used to show how a logic gate works. In a Truth