2. Measuring electric current We can measure the amount of electric current flowing through a circuit using a device called an “ammeter”. Current is measured in Amperes . A
3. What is the trend here? 2 electrons per second = 1A 8 electrons per second = 4A 4 electrons per second = 2A 12 electrons per second = 6A
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6. The unit of measure for current is the amp , which has the symbol A. A Measuring current Current is measured using a device called an ammeter . In a circuit diagram, an ammeter is shown by the symbol . When measuring the current through a component, the ammeter is always connected in series (in the same loop) with that component. A A
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9. Experiment 1: Current in a series circuit – results Circuit 2 results: Current at position 1 = Current at position 2 = Current at position 3 = Circuit 1 results: Current at position 1 = Current at position 2 = Circuit 1 Circuit 2 1 2 1 2 3 Draw each circuit and trace the path of the electrons through the circuit R 1 A A R1 R2 A A A
10. Experiment 1: Current in a series circuit – summary Circuit 1 The current at different positions in the circuit, before and after the lamps, was the _______. Current is _____ used up by the components in the circuit. Circuit 2 Increasing the number of components in the circuit ________ the current. The current at all points in a series circuit is the _______. same / same / decreased / not Circuit 1 Circuit 2 R 1 A A R1 R2 A A A
11. Current in a series circuit In other words, the current in a series circuit is THE SAME at any point If the current here is 2 amps… The current here will be… The current here will be… And the current here will be…