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Physics vocabulary · Electricity and Magnetism

Circuit

Meaning in physics, with examples

/ˈsɜːrkɪt/nounCore term

In physics, circuit means: A closed path through which electric current can flow, made of a power source, wires and components such as lamps, resistors and switches.

In Turkish: devre, elektrik devresi

How it is used

Components are connected in series (one after another) or in parallel (side by side). You build, set up or draw a circuit; a circuit diagram uses standard symbols. An open circuit has a gap; a short circuit lets current bypass the load.

Example sentences

  1. Set up the circuit as shown in the diagram, then close the switch.

  2. In a parallel circuit, each lamp gets the full supply voltage.

Common collocations

  • series circuit
  • parallel circuit
  • circuit diagram
  • short circuit
  • complete the circuit
  • electric currentThe rate at which electric charge flows past a point in a circuit. It is measured in amperes (A), and one ampere is one coulomb of charge per second.
  • resistanceHow strongly a component or material opposes the flow of electric current. It equals voltage divided by current and is measured in ohms (Ω).
  • voltageThe energy transferred to or by each coulomb of charge between two points in a circuit, also called potential difference. It is measured in volts (V).
  • Ohm's lawThe rule that the current through a metal conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it, as long as its temperature stays the same. It is usually written V = IR.
  • capacitorA component that stores electric charge and energy in the electric field between two conducting plates separated by an insulator. Its capacitance is measured in farads (F).

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Electricity and Magnetism

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