This document defines key terms related to atoms and electricity. It defines atoms as the smallest piece of an element containing its properties. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons at the center of an atom. Protons are positively charged, neutrons are uncharged, and electrons are negatively charged. Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells. The atomic number identifies the element based on its number of protons. Conductors allow electron flow, having 1-3 outer electrons, while insulators do not, having 5-8 outer electrons. Current is defined as the rate of charge flow, measured in amps. Several examples show how to calculate current or charge from given values of time, current, and charge.

2. 


3. ELEMENTS
Atoms - Smallest piece of an element containing all of
the properties of that element

4. The center portion of
an atom containing the
protons and neutrons
Positively charged
atomic particles
Uncharged atomic
particles

5. The atomic number is
equal to the number of
protons in the nucleus
of an atom.
The atomic number
identifies the element.
How many
protons are in
this nucleus?

6. Negatively charged
particles
Orbits in which
electrons move around
the nucleus of an atom
The outermost ring of
electrons in an atom
3D2D

7. Orbit
Number
Maximum
Electrons
1 2
2
3
4
5
6
Valence
Orbit
2
72
32
8
Orbits closest to the nucleus fill first
18
50
8

8. Conductors Insulators
Electrons flow easily
between atoms
1-3 valence electrons in
outer orbit
Examples: Silver,
Copper, Gold, Aluminum
Electron flow is difficult
between atoms
5-8 valence electrons in
outer orbit
Examples: Mica, Glass,
Quartz

10. •
•
•
•
I = q/t
q = I x t
I – current
q = amount of charge flowing past a point
t = time

11. •
•
1 ampere = 1A =1 C/s
C is the unit of electric charge coulomb. 1 ampere = 6 billion or 6
x 108 C/s electrons flowing along a conductor for each second.

12. The amount of charge that passes through the filament of a certain light bulb
in 2 seconds is 1.67 C. What is the current in the light bulb? What is the
number of electrons that pass through the filament in one second?
Given: t = 2 seconds; q = 1.67 C; I = ?
Solution:
I =
𝑞
𝑡
=
1.67 𝐶
2 𝑠
I = 0.835 C/s
Number of electrons: = 1 e = 1.6 x 10-19 C
= 0.835 C x
1 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛
1.6 𝑥 10−19 𝐶
= 5.22 x 1018
Answer:
The current in the light bulb is 0.835 C per second, and the number of electrons
that passes through the filament is 5.22 x1018 per second.

13. Over the course of an 8 hour day, 3.8x104 C of charge pass through a
typical computer (presuming it is in use the entire time). Determine the
current for such a computer.
Given: q = 3.8 x 104C; t = 8 hr = 28,800 s; I = ?
Solution:
I =
𝑞
𝑡
I =
3.8 𝑥 104𝐶
28,800 𝑠
= 1.32
𝐶
𝑠
𝑜𝑟 1.32 𝐴
Answer:
1.32 A of current does the computer uses.

14. The large window air conditioner in Anita Breeze's room draws 11 amps
of current. The unit runs for 8.0 hours during the course of a day.
Determine the quantity of charge that passes through Anita's window
AC during these 8.0 hours.
Given: t = 8 hrs = 28, 800 s; I = 11 A; q =?
Solution:
q = I x t
q = 28,800 s x 11 A
q = 316, 800 C or 3.16 x 105
Answer:
The quantity of charge that pass through Anita’s window AC is 3.16 x 105 for 8
hours.