Fundamentals of Electric Circuits

📋 Course Outline

1. Electric current flow
2. Charge conservation
3. Series and parallel circuits
4. Sources of emf
5. Electrical energy use
6. Energy transport in circuits
7. Voltage and energy
8. Circuit measurement tools
9. Current-voltage characteristics
10. Resistance and Ohm's law
11. Power and energy calculations
12. Energy efficiency comparison

📖 1. Electric current flow

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Electric current (I): The rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A).
  Definition: $I = \frac{Q}{t}$, where $Q$ is charge in coulombs and $t$ is time in seconds.

• Conventional current: The flow of positive charge from positive to negative terminal outside the source of emf.

• Charge carriers: Electrons (negative charge) and protons (positive charge). In conductors, electrons are the primary charge carriers.

• Current in series and parallel circuits:

  • Series: Same current flows through all components.
  • Parallel: Total current from the source equals the sum of currents in each branch.

• Sources of emf: Chemical cells, solar cells, generators, or dynamos convert energy into electrical energy.

• Electrical energy users: Light bulbs, resistance heaters, motors convert electrical energy into light, heat, or mechanical work.

• Energy transport: Electric circuits operate as systems where moving charges transport energy.