Electric Potential, Current, and Power – Core Vocabulary

Twenty vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms related to electric potential, current, resistance, and power, as presented in the lecture notes.

Electric Potential Energy

Energy stored in a charge because of its position in an electric field.

Electric Potential (Voltage)

Work done per unit charge to move it between two points in an electric field; V = ΔU/q.

Volt (V)

SI unit of electric potential; one joule per coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C).

Electric Field

Region of space where electric forces act on charges; direction is the force on a positive test charge.

Electric Current

Net flow of electric charge through a conductor per unit time; I = Q/t.

Ampere (A)

SI unit of current; one coulomb of charge passing a point each second (1 A = 1 C/s).

Electric Charge

Fundamental property of matter that experiences electric force; measured in coulombs.

Coulomb (C)

SI unit of electric charge; amount of charge moved by 1 A in 1 s.

Resistance

Property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current; R = V/I.

Ohm (Ω)

SI unit of resistance; one volt per ampere (1 Ω = 1 V/A).

Ohm’s Law

Relationship stating that resistance equals voltage divided by current (R = V/I).

Conductor

Material, typically a metal, that allows charges to move easily.

Insulator

Material that resists the movement of electric charges.

Electromotive Force (EMF)

Energy per unit charge supplied by a source (battery, generator) that moves charges from low to high potential.

Electric Power

Rate at which electrical energy is converted to another form; P = IV.

Watt (W)

SI unit of power; one joule of energy converted per second (1 W = 1 J/s).

Potential Difference

Difference in electric potential between two points; drives electric current.

Uniform Electric Field

Electric field with constant magnitude and direction throughout a region.

Work (Electric)

Energy required to move a charge against an electric field; equals force times displacement in field direction.

Gravitational–Electric Analogy

Comparison where lifting a mass in gravity parallels moving a charge in an electric field, illustrating potential energy concepts.