Introduction to Robotics/Electrical Components/Lecture/Teachers

Introduction to Robotics Electrical Components: Lecture (For Students) (For Teachers) —

Lab (For Students) (For Teachers) — Assignment (For Students) (For Teachers) — Quiz (For Students) (For Teachers)

Electricity Flowing in a Circuit

Electricity flows through circuits in the same way as water flows through pipes. Water only flows where the pipes are properly connected. Likewise, electricity will only flow where the components and wires are properly connected.

Notice also that electricity will only flow in a "complete circuit". Electricity must come from a source, and must go to a ground.

There are two quantities that we need to measure when dealing with electricity: Voltage and Current.

Voltage

Voltage is a measure of the "pressure" of the electricity. More voltage means more potential for the electricity to flow.

Current

Current is a measure of the "amount" of the electricity. More current means more electrons are flowing.

Resistors: Resisting current

Resistors are said to "resist current". At the same pressure (voltage), resistors cause less current to flow. Resistors are measured in units called "Ohms", and are labled with a Ω (greek capital omega).

For the same pressure, more ohms means less current, and fewer ohms means more current.

Ohm's Law

The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance is shown by Ohm's Law:

<math>V = IR</math>