Overview
Have you ever wondered about all the material or matter around us? What is it? Is there any universal explanation for its appearance, properties, and behavior?
One theory that explained some of the properties of matter was the molecular theory of matter, which states that matter consists of small molecules in motion. This theory provides an explanation of many characteristics of matter, including how heat works and why materials change from solid to liquid to gas. This was followed by the atomic theory of matter, which states that matter consists of atoms made of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Matter is closely associated with energy, which is defined as the ability to do work. What does this mean? Work is done when matter is moved by applying a force--a push or pull. Lifting a book off a table or throwing a baseball requires work. In science, something must be moved to do work. Energy, therefore, is the capacity to move or effect changes in matter.
Energy may take different forms like thermal energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy or nuclear energy. Electricity is a form of energy that comes from the movement of electrons in a closed circuit. This continuous movement of free electrons through the conductors of a circuit is called a current, and it is often referred to in terms of "flow," just like the flow of a liquid through a hollow pipe. The force motivating electrons to "flow" in a circuit is called voltage. Voltage is a specific measure of potential energy that is always relative between two points. When we speak of a certain amount of voltage being present in a circuit, we are referring to the measurement of how much potential energy exists to move electrons from one particular point in that circuit to another particular point. Without reference to two particular points, the term "voltage" has no meaning.
Free electrons tend to move through conductors with some degree of friction, or opposition to motion. This opposition to motion is more properly called resistance. The amount of current in a circuit depends on the amount of voltage available to motivate the electrons, and also the amount of resistance in the circuit to oppose electron flow. Just like voltage, resistance is a quantity relative between two points. For this reason, the quantities of voltage and resistance are often stated as being "between" or "across" two points in a circuit.
In this course, we will study the basic concepts and fundamentals behind electricity.
This 4-hour course material is based entirely on Naval Education and Training Materials (NAVEDTRA 14173), Electricity and Electronic Training Series; Module-1 “Introduction to matter, energy and direct current” and covers Chapter 1.
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty-five (25) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- State the meanings of matter, element, atom and energy
- List the differences between a conductor, an insulator, and a semiconductor
- State the definition of static electricity and explain how it is generated
- State the meanings of retentivity, reluctance, permeability and ferromagnetism
- List the characteristics of magnetic lines of force (magnetic flux)
- State how a difference of potential (a voltage or an electromotive force) can exist.
- List six methods for producing a voltage (emf)
- State the meanings of electron current and indicate the direction that an electric current flows.
- State the relationship of current to voltage.
- State the definitions of resistance and conductance
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
Matter, Energy and Electricity
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