Electromagnetism · 03 / 06

Circuits

A circuit is a closed path that lets charge move while electric potential energy is transferred between sources and components.

The learner question

How do voltage, resistance, and current describe one moving-charge system?

Voltage describes energy transferred per charge. Current measures charge flow. Resistance connects the two by describing how strongly the component opposes that current.

Simple resistive circuit
V=IRV = IR
P=VIP = VI

Ohm's law relates the state of an ideal resistor. Power tells how quickly electrical energy is transferred.

Closed-loop lab

Turn the source up or throttle the path.

conventional current shown
source
current
1.50 A
power
13.5 W
energy each second
13.5 J/s
Source voltage9 V
Resistance6 Ω
circuit idea
The battery is not a current tank

The source establishes a potential difference. In a complete circuit, that electric condition drives charge already present throughout the conductor.

circuit idea
Resistance changes the current

At fixed voltage, larger resistance means smaller current. The current is a system response, not a fixed amount supplied by the battery.

circuit idea
Brightness tracks power

For a simple resistive load, higher electrical power means energy is being transferred to thermal and radiant forms more quickly.

Current is not used up

Charge flow is continuous around a steady series loop. Components transfer energy, but charge itself is conserved.

Voltage is measured between points

Voltage is a potential difference. A single-point voltage only makes sense after choosing a reference potential.

Power closes the energy story

Current tells how much charge crosses per second; voltage tells energy per charge. Their product gives energy transferred per second.

Transfer check

You keep the battery voltage fixed and double the resistance. What happens to the current?

← Electric Potential
Next: Magnetic Fields · planned