Electricity & Magnetism Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards include vocabulary terms and definitions related to electricity and magnetism for Grade 8 students.

Insulator (Electric)

Material in which electric charges cannot easily move.

Conductor (Electric)

Material in which electric charges easily move.

Electric current

Movement of electrically charged particles.

Electric circuit

Closed, or complete, path in which an electric current flows.

Resistance

Measure of how difficult it is for an electric current to flow in a material.

Voltage

Amount of energy used to move one coulomb of electrons through the circuit.

Magnet

An object that attracts iron and other materials that have magnetic qualities.

Magnetic Force

Push or pull a magnetic field applies to either a magnetic material or an electric current.

Electromagnet

Temporary magnet made with a current-carrying wire coil wrapped around a magnetic core.

Electric Insulators

Materials like plastic, wood, or glass through which electric charge cannot easily move.

Electric Conductors

Materials like copper or gold through which electric charge easily moves.

Like charges

Charges that repel each other; two positive objects push each other away.

Opposite charges

Charges that attract each other; a positive object and a negative object pull each other closer.

Series Circuit

An electric circuit that has only one path through which electricity can flow.

Parallel Circuit

An electric circuit where each device connects to an electric source with a different path or branch.

Magnetic Field

A region around a magnetic material or a moving electric charge within which the force of magnetism acts.

Static Electricity

An imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material.

Electrical Energy

Power generated by the movement of charged particles, typically electrons, through a conductor.

Ohm

SI unit of electrical resistance.

Attract

To come together.

Repel

To move away from.