An introduction to

Simple Electric Circuits

By Solid State Workshop

The Hydraulic Circuit

Valve percent
open

Pump

100
%

Valve
25
%

75
%
50

The Piping
Piping

The piping contains the

water. Wherever the piping
goes, the water flows.
For our example, the size
of the pipe doesnt matter.

Water
Water is the substance that
flows through the circuit.

Water

Volume remains constant, but

the rate at which the water
flows can be changed.

The Pump
The pump gives water kinetic
energy and accelerates it
through the piping.
Pump

A more powerful pump

can more water, more
quickly.

The Valve
The valve regulates the rate
of flow of water.

Valve

The valve can be adjusted to

allow more water to flow or
less.

Flow Rate

K
= 1 liter
= 3.3 x 1025
molecules
H 20

Electric Charge
Electric charge is a property of matter that causes a
force to be exerted when it is near other electrically
charged matter.
Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges
attract.

Electric Charge
The unit of charge (q) is the Coulomb (C).
An electron has a very, very small charge. You would
need 6.2 x 1018 electrons to make 1 Coulomb of charge.
Having a Coulombs worth of electrons is like having
a liters worth of water molecules.

The Electric Circuit

Pump

Valve

Batter
y

Resistor

The Wire
Piping

Water

The combination of
piping and water is
similar to copper wire.
Unlike water, electrons
do not need to be added
to copper. They are
already present.

The Battery
The negative terminal is eager
to give up electrons, while the
positive terminal is more eager to
accept electrons.
Pump

Batte
ry

This difference in eagerness is

what causes electrons to flow
through a wire, from negative to
positive.

Potential Difference

Potential
Difference

Batte
ry

Potential difference is the

difference in electric potential
between two points, in this case
between the [+] and [-] terminals.
At the [-] terminal, electrons
are at a higher potential than
they are at the [+] terminal.

Voltage
The unit of potential

difference is the volt.

If we increase voltage, charge

1.5V

Batte
ry

will move faster through the

circuit.

The Resistor
Just like a valve, a resistor
limits the rate of charge flow in
the circuit.
Valve

Resistor

The greater the resistance,

the lower the rate of flow.
The unit of resistance is the
ohm. Its symbol is .

Examples of Resistors
5-10mm

Electric Current

Current is the flow of electric charge.

Electric Current

K
=1
Coulomb
= 6.2 x 1018
electrons

Batte

Resistor

Putting it all together

We have learned that when a resistor is connected across
two terminals of a battery, charge flows through the wire and
the resistor and back into the battery.

If a battery with a higher voltage is chosen, the charge will

move faster through the circuit.

The resistor limits rate at which the charge flows. The

greater the resistance, the slower the charge flows.

Ohms Law

There is a simple relationship we can use to relate voltage,

resistance, and current. It is called Ohms Law.

This formula can be rearranged to solve for any unknown

element.

Ohms Law

So for example, if we have a 10V battery hooked up to a

100 resistor, we can determine the current.

Say we replaced the 100 resistor with a 50 resistor

Ohms Law

In a similar manner, if we know the current and the voltage,

we can determine the value of the resistor.
So, if we measure 5V across the battery and a current of 0.25A,
then

Measurements
To measure voltage, probe across two points in a circuit.

1.50
Multimeter

Batte
ry

A COM V

Measurements
To measure current, break the circuit, and put the meter in
series with the load.

0.50
Multimeter

Batte
ry

A COM V

3.0

Thanks for watching!

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