What are VOLTs, OHMs & AMPs?

Summary

The video explains the concept of voltage, comparing it to electrical pressure and using relatable analogies like magnets and springs to describe how electrons behave. The speaker emphasizes the force between negatively charged electrons, explaining that this tension creates voltage. Through clear examples, like a battery and circuits, the video covers how voltage, current, and resistance work together to power devices. It also highlights Ohm's Law as a principle that connects these concepts, debunking the idea that it's purely a mathematical equation.

Takeaways

• 🔋 Voltage is often misunderstood as electrical pressure, which can be likened to the force that pushes electrons through a wire.
• ⚛️ Electrons are negatively charged particles that move through a wire, creating electricity.
• 🧲 The analogy of magnets helps explain electron behavior; like poles repel, and unlike poles attract, which is similar to how electrons with the same charge repel each other.
• 💡 The force between electrons is visualized as a compressed spring, representing the tension or high voltage when they are forced close together.
• 🔌 A battery can be thought of as a box of electrons under pressure, all trying to move away from each other, which is the source of voltage.
• 🔄 The concept of a circuit being a 'circle' provides a path for electrons to move, and when a switch is closed, it initiates the flow of electrons, or current.
• 🏎 The movement of electrons through a circuit, when unimpeded by a load, is referred to as current.
• 🛠 Resistance, measured in ohms, is the property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current, preventing fuses from blowing.
• ⚙️ Ohm's law is a principle that describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance, rather than just a mathematical formula.
• 🔧 The function of a resistor or any resistance in a circuit is to limit the current flow, thus protecting the circuit from damage.

Q & A

What is voltage and how is it related to electrical pressure?

Voltage is often described as electrical pressure. It is the force that pushes electrons through a conductor, similar to how pressure in a hydraulic system pushes fluid through pipes. The higher the voltage, the greater the force that pushes the electrons.

How are electrons described in the context of this script?

Electrons are described as negatively charged particles that spin around the outside of an atom and are responsible for the flow of electricity. They are personified as having a 'negative attitude' to help conceptualize their charge.

What is the analogy used to explain the repulsion between like-charged particles?

The analogy used is that of magnets, where like poles repel each other. This is applied to electrons, which all have a negative charge, and thus repel each other, creating a force that pushes them apart.

How is the force between electrons visualized in the script?

The force between electrons is visualized as a spring between two billiard balls on a pool table. The more the balls (electrons) are pushed together, the greater the tension in the spring (electrical tension), which corresponds to higher voltage.

What is the term used to describe the force that pushes electrons apart due to their negative charges?

The term used to describe this force is 'electrical tension' or 'high tension electricity,' which is a result of the repulsion between like-charged particles.

How does the concept of a battery relate to the idea of voltage?

A battery is a collection of electrons with negative charges that are all trying to get away from each other, creating pressure. This pressure is what generates voltage, which is then used to power electrical devices.

What is the significance of closing a switch in an electrical circuit?

Closing a switch completes the circuit, allowing the flow of electrons (current) to begin. This movement of electrons is what powers devices and is facilitated by the voltage present in the circuit.

What is the role of resistance in an electrical circuit?

Resistance in an electrical circuit acts to oppose the flow of current. It is measured in ohms and is essential for controlling the flow of electricity and preventing damage to components, such as preventing fuses from blowing.

Who is credited with the concept of resistance in electrical circuits?

George Simon Ohm is credited with the concept of resistance, which is why the unit of measurement for resistance is named the ohm.

What is the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance as described in the script?

Voltage (pressure) pushes current (amperage) through a resistance. This relationship is encapsulated in Ohm's Law, which is described as a concept rather than just a mathematical equation in the script.

How is Ohm's Law presented in the script?

Ohm's Law is presented as a fundamental concept that explains how voltage, current, and resistance interact, rather than just a mathematical formula. It is the principle that voltage is the pressure that pushes current through a resistance.

Outlines

00:00

🔋 Understanding Voltage Through Electrons and Magnets

This paragraph delves into the concept of voltage by likening it to pressure. It explains that electrons, which are negatively charged particles, move through a wire and are responsible for the flow of electricity. The analogy of magnets is used to help understand how electrons, having the same negative charge, repel each other, creating a force akin to the tension in a compressed spring. This tension is what drives the movement of electrons and is referred to as electrical tension or high voltage. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding voltage as it is a measure of electrical pressure that is crucial for the functioning of electrical components.

05:02

🔌 The Dynamics of Electricity in a Circuit

The second paragraph explains how connecting a battery to a circuit initiates the flow of electrons, which are under pressure to move away from each other. It uses the term 'circuit' to describe the circular path that electricity takes. The paragraph discusses the concept of static voltage, where electricity is stable and not moving until a switch is closed, allowing the flow of current. It also touches on the role of resistance in a circuit, measured in ohms, and its purpose to prevent fuses from blowing by limiting the flow of current. The paragraph concludes by summarizing Ohm's law as a concept that describes how voltage (pressure), current (movement of electrons), and resistance interact to power electrical devices.

Keywords

💡Voltage

Voltage is described as electrical pressure in the script, akin to the pressure that pushes electrons through a wire. It is a fundamental concept in electricity and is central to the video's theme of explaining how electricity works. The script uses the analogy of a spring between two billiard balls to illustrate how voltage, or electrical tension, increases with the compression of these balls, representing electrons. Voltage is what drives the flow of electricity, similar to how pressure differences drive fluid flow in hydraulics or pneumatics.

💡Electron

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom and are crucial for the flow of electricity. The script personifies electrons with a 'negative attitude' to help viewers grasp their charge nature. Electrons are what move through wires, creating electric current, and their movement is driven by voltage, as explained in the video.

💡Magnet

Magnetism is used in the script to help explain the repulsion between like charges (electrons). The analogy of two magnets repelling each other when their like poles are pushed together illustrates the force that pushes electrons apart, which is a form of electrical tension or voltage. Magnets are a relatable concept for most viewers, making them an effective tool for explaining the concept of voltage.

💡Electrical Tension

Electrical tension is a term used in the script to describe the force that pushes electrons apart due to their like charges. It is likened to the tension in a spring between two billiard balls, which increases as the balls are pushed closer together. This tension is what creates voltage, and the script emphasizes that higher compression (closer electrons) results in higher voltage.

💡Battery

A battery is mentioned in the script as a 'box' containing many electrons, all with negative charges, trying to get away from each other. This creates pressure, or voltage, which is stored in the battery. The battery serves as an example of how voltage is generated and stored, ready to be used when connected in a circuit.

💡Circuit

A circuit is described as a closed loop that allows electrons to flow, driven by voltage. The script explains that when a circuit is complete, and a switch is closed, electrons move rapidly to create current. The concept of a circuit is essential to understanding how electrical devices operate, as it illustrates the path that electricity takes.

💡Current

Current refers to the flow of electric charge, typically measured in amperes (amps). In the script, current is described as the movement of electrons trying to get away from each other, which is facilitated by voltage. The video uses the term 'amperage' synonymously with current, emphasizing that current is the result of voltage pushing electrons through a circuit.

💡Resistance

Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electric current and is measured in ohms. The script explains that resistance, such as that provided by light bulbs, coils, or resistors, is what prevents fuses from blowing by limiting the flow of current. Resistance is a key component in Ohm's law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.

💡Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a principle that relates voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. The script clarifies that Ohm's law is not just a mathematical equation (V=IR) but a concept that describes how these three elements work together. It is fundamental to understanding how electrical systems function and is used to predict the behavior of circuits.

💡Static Voltage

Static voltage is the term used in the script to describe the state of electricity when it is not flowing, such as when a switch is open. The script explains that with the switch open, there is a buildup of charge on either side, but no movement, which is a state of static voltage. This concept helps to illustrate the difference between potential energy (static voltage) and kinetic energy (current).

💡Back EMF

Back EMF, or counter electromotive force, is briefly mentioned in the script as a concept related to motors. It refers to the voltage generated by a motor that opposes the supply voltage. While the script does not delve deeply into back EMF, it acknowledges its existence and suggests that it will be covered in more detail in another context. Back EMF is an important concept in understanding motor operation and efficiency.

Highlights

Voltage is described as electrical pressure, analogous to physical pressure.

Electrons are the negatively charged particles that move through a wire, making electricity work.

The concept of like poles repelling and unlike poles attracting from magnetism is used to explain electron behavior.

Electrons, having the same negative charge, exert a force that pushes them apart, creating electrical tension.

The force between electrons is likened to a compressed spring, illustrating the concept of voltage.

Voltage is measured and is crucial for understanding electrical flow and pressure differences.

A battery is a collection of electrons under pressure, seeking to move away from each other.

The flow of electrons, or current, is initiated by closing a switch in a circuit, creating motion.

The movement of electrons through a circuit is used to do work, such as powering a motor.

Resistance in a circuit, measured in ohms, is essential to prevent fuses from blowing.

Ohm's law is introduced as a principle, not just a mathematical equation, relating voltage, current, and resistance.

The role of resistance is to oppose the flow of current, ensuring safe and controlled electrical operation.

The concept of static voltage is explained as the stable, non-moving state of electricity at an open switch.

The importance of understanding voltage to measure and utilize it effectively in electrical systems is emphasized.

The analogy of a spring between electrons is used to explain the increase in voltage with greater compression.

The practical application of voltage and current in creating motion and doing work in electrical machines is discussed.

The potential for motors to have back EMF is acknowledged, with a note to cover it in future discussions.

Transcripts

it never would have happened without

Cooper

trucks one of the questions I get quite

often when I'm teaching because I teach

electricity is what exactly is

voltage well it's been taught forever

that it's electrical pressure and since

all of you guys pretty much understand

how Pressure Works this should make

pretty good

sense this is an electron an electron is

the negative negatively charged particle

that spins around the outside of an

atom and it's what actually moves

through a wire and it's what actually

makes electricity work electron

electricity well I like to think of

these electrons as negative because they

have a little negative attitude and a

little negative

charge maybe it works maybe it doesn't

for you but it also helps to think about

magnets because everybody watching this

understands what a magnet is and how it

works okay you take two magnets and you

put the two North Poles

together then they repel each

other okay everybody gets that and the

way it's taught in class is that like

poles

repel however we all know that if you

take magnets and you put them together

with the North and South

Pole to together or well or the South or

North Pole together then they attract

there's a force that's actually pulling

them

together and that force is magnetic

force and we also teach that unlike

poles attract so like poles repel and

unlike poles

attract so let's take our electrons

which both have negative

charges and we'll put them together and

they're fairly negative as you can tell

I draw them that way because electrons

are negative and those look like some

guys that got some pretty negative

attitudes well they have the same charge

and if you apply the magnet example then

what you get is you get a

force that's trying to push these two

guys

apart the force is pretty powerful it's

a pretty strong

force and um it's what makes our

components run makes them

work

so if you think about

this it works really well to just

visualize a

spring between the two

electrons pretend they're billiard balls

on a pool table well you probably

already have this figured out by now

because if you take two pool balls and

put them on a table with to Spring in

between them and you let

go they're going to

move cuz there's pressure in between

them all right well now they're a little

more angry and a little more negative

because they're being forced to be much

closer to each

other and when you push these guys

closer

together the force between them is

pretty huge

and this is why it's called tension

electrical tension high tension

electricity they're tense they're stuck

there next to each other wanting nothing

more than to get as far away from each

other as possible that's what makes them

move the spring is much more tightly

compressed

now and if you carry this analogy to the

end the higher compression means higher

voltage so how does this work for us why

is this theory important to us it's

important because voltage is what we

measure and knowing how voltage Works

helps when you measure it so you'll know

what it's doing or not doing well if you

put a bunch of these electron guys

together put them in a

box they call it a

battery so all these little electron

guys in here all have negative charges

and they're all trying really hard to

get pretty far away from each other and

that then puts them under

pressure this pressure is what makes

everything happen you can't have flow

without a difference in pressure

Hydraulics or pneumatics it doesn't

matter

so if we take the battery and we connect

the battery into a circuit and by the

way it's called a circuit because it's a

circle you give them a place to go

they're going to go they don't actually

move at the speed of light but the

effect is felt at the speed of

light so with a switch open here you're

going to have charges to the left and

charges to the right the polarity is

difficult to explain but effective ly

electricity is waiting at the

switch sitting there stable not

moving that's called Static

voltage but as soon as you close the

switch now things start to

happen they start moving and moving and

moving and moving mov mov really really

fast we put a motor in the way and all

of this movement Works to create motion

so the motor goes

zoom and if a bunch of these guys in a

box sitting there waiting to go is

voltage then it's pretty easy to

understand what current

is it's them moving and getting away

from each other and we use that to do

work all right every load has resistance

light bulbs coils

resistors and the resistance is measured

in ohms and the guy that figured this

out his name was George Simon oh hence

the word now for those of you who are

like like up on this stuff yeah motors

do have back EMF but we're going to

cover that another day we're just going

to treat it as if it has ohms because

effectively it does have ohms

all right well we get our motor there

and you ask yourself what is the job of

any resistor or of any resistance what

what's its job and the simplest way to

understand it is that the job of the

resistance is to keep the fuse from

blowing oh and oh yeah by the way then

if it's a motor then it

turns but the reason that the fuses

don't blow when you turn things on is

because the thing you're turning on has

resistance

so how do we summarize this well voltage

which is

pressure pushes amperage which is

current through a

resistance this is

actually OHS law because OHS law is a

concept ohms law is a

principle Ohm's law is not a math

equation

they use eal IR and they teach it is

math but it is not a math problem OHS

law is a concept not

math so voltage which is pressure

resistance and current work together to

make our machines

go for