Right Hand Rule #1 & #2

In class, we learned the magnet or a wire with current passing through it, has a 3 dimensional magnetic field surrounding it. This was discovered by placing iron filling around the said items. However, what's the direction of the magnetic field? Which end is North? We apply the "Right Hand Rules".

Right Hand Rule #1: 

Purpose - To find the I in a conductor.

How? Thumbs point to the current (I) and the other four fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field (B).

Above, the current is going into the page

Above, the current is going out of the page

Right Hand Rule #2

Purpose - To find the North or direction of the magnetic field in a coil.

How? Fingers curl in the direction of the current and thumb points to the direction of North/ direction of the magnetic field.

The picture below uses the left hand however the final result is the same.

Concept Map & Tests

The picture below is my group's concept map

We had two copies of the same sheet in the beginning so we started pasting random things with each other hoping it'll work. Then we got the other copy and tried to fit them in. This is the "spectacular" result of our hard work. LOL

For the upcoming test, currently with an unknown date, I think these following things will be on the test.

(1) Series and Parallel Circuits - Advantages and Disadvantage, Uses, and Formulas

(2) Ohm's Law - Resistance, Voltage, Current Relationship

(3) Kirchoff's Law

(4) Voltage Formulas

(5) Resistance Formulas & Calculating % Error of resistors & How to read a resistor

(6) Conventional Current and Electron Flow 

(7) Current Formulas

(8) Power

(9) Definition of electric current

(10) How many electrons/ electric charges are in one coulomb and how much of a coulomb is in an electron/ electric charge

Ohm vs. Kirchoff

We did a lab using ammeter, voltmeters, and circuits to prove Ohm's law.


Ohm's Law - states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.


In simpler words, it means voltage current ; resistance current

The picture below shows Ohm's triangle.

Each arrangement, such as series, parallel, or series-parallel, affect the way in which potential difference and current act in various parts of the circuit. Kirchoff research of the different behaviours of the circuits led to the following laws.....

Kirchoff's Current Law

The total amount of current into a junction point of a circuit equals the total current that flows out of that same junction.

In a series circuit...

I_T = I₁ = I₂ = I₃ =…= I_n

In a parallel circuit...

I_T = I₁ + I₂ + I₃ +…+ I_n

Kirchoff's Voltage Law

The total of all electrical potential decreases in any complete circuit loop is equal to any potential increases in that circuit loop.

In a series circuit...

V_T = V₁ + V₂ + V₃ +…+ V_n

In a parallel circuit...

V_T = V₁ = V₂ = V_{3 =}…= V_n

His laws are particular applications of the laws of conservation of electric charge and the conservation of energy.

à In any circuit, there is no net gain or loss of electric charge or energy

Combining Kirchoff's and Ohm's Laws - Forming Resistance Formula

In a series circuit...

R_T = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ +…+ R_n

In a parallel circuit...

Favourite Roller Coaster Design

This is my favourite roller coaster design.....

It looks so awesome~

I wonder how they made the tracks rainbow coloured o__O

From Battery to Circuit (Energy Transformation)

Today in class, we watched a video about circuits. It was basically about the flow of electrons and how dangerous it is to fly a kite in the air to discover electricity.

Battery: provides the power needed to operate the circuit (can also be another power source such as solar energy, wind energy, etc.)

Conventional Current (I): movement of the positive charge (incorrect way but has become standardized) from positive to negative

Electron Flow: movement of electrons; from negative to positive

*These two does not make a difference as long it is used consistently

The current flows out of the positive side, through the circuit, and into the negative terminal of the source. The movement or flow of electrons in a closed circuit produces electricity . The electrons aren't consumed by the light bulb either.  

And this is the formula used to calculate current

Current (I) - a measure of the rate of flow of electrons in a conductor; measured in amperes (A)

Q - electric charge; measured in units called coulombs (C)

 t  - time; measured in seconds (s)

Energy Transformation

Energy from the battery as it moves to the circuit and into the light bulb 

Chemical energy -> electric energy -> heat/ thermal energy and light energy

My Energy Ball Experience

It was a different experience, entering class and getting organized into groups without knowing just exactly what we were supposed to do. Then, we were given ping pong balls with metals strips on it and a white envelope filled with smiley faced instructions. During the beginning of the experiment, we were all thinking maybe our fingers were the sources of electricity to make the energy ball light up and make noise, perhaps having both positive and negative charges on our fingers. However, it didn’t work when two different people touched the energy ball at once. It was not until one member of the group put the energy ball onto a circular metal ring that the group came to the hypothesis that a conductor was needed to let the ball light. I suppose hands–on work really is just experimenting without any ideas until something just hits you straight in the face. I guess the purpose of the assignment was to figure everything out by ourselves rather than getting spoon-fed from the textbook.

Also learned two new definitions:

-       Series Circuit: a series having its parts connected serially

-       Parallel Circuit: a closed circuit in which the current divides into two or more paths before recombining to complete the circuit