Electricity Concepts and Safety Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, electrical quantities, circuit types, and safety terms from the electricity lecture.

Benjamin Franklin

Historical figure who proved that lightning was electricity by flying a kite in a lightning storm and helped people understand the principles of electricity.

Thomas Edison

Historical figure who invented the electrical light bulb.

Electricity

A form of energy caused by a flow of tiny particles called electrons through a material.

Electric Current

The continuous, directional flow of electric charge, such as electrons, through a conductor, represented by the symbol $(I)$ and measured in amperes ($A$).

Ampere

The SI unit of electric current, represented as $(A)$, where one ampere equals one coulomb per second ($1\,A = 1\,C/s$).

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current in which the electric charge flow changes its direction periodically; first tested in 1832 using a Dynamo Electric Generator based on the principles of Michael Faraday.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current in which the flow of electricity does not change periodically and flows in a single direction at a steady voltage.

Voltage

The pressure or force from an electric circuit's power source (battery) that pushes charged electrons (current) through a conducting loop.

Resistance

A measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit, measured in ohms ($\Omega$).

Conductors

Materials with low resistance that allow electric charges to flow freely, such as silver spoons and copper wire.

Insulators

Materials with high resistance that do not allow electric charges to flow freely, such as rubber balloons, rubber tires, and diamonds.

Electric Circuit

A complete path made up of electrical components through which electric current flows.

Series Circuit

A circuit arrangement made by connecting the end of one device to the beginning of another, offering only one path for current to flow.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit arrangement where the same terminals of both devices are connected together, offering multiple paths for electric current to flow.

Overloaded Circuits

An electrical hazard caused by plugging an excessive number of appliances into a single power socket, which can lead to overheating and fire risk.

Phantom Load

Passive energy drainage that occurs when chargers and electronic appliances remain plugged into outlets when not actively in use, continuing to draw electricity silently.