Electricity Unit Flashcards

Static Electricity

An imbalance of electric charge on the surface of an object.

Electrostatics

The study of static electric charges.

Law of Electric Charges

States that like charges repel and opposite charges attract.

Induced Charge Separation

A shift in the position of electrons in a neutral object that occurs when a charged object is brought near it.

Charging by Friction

The transfer of electrons between two neutral objects that occurs when they are rubbed together.

Electrostatic Series

A list of materials arranged in order of their tendency to gain electrons.

Charging by Conduction

Charging an object by contact with a charged object.

Grounding

Connecting an object to a large body (like Earth) that can effectively remove an electric charge.

Conductor

A material in which electrons can move easily between atoms.

Insulator

A material in which electrons cannot move easily from one atom to another.

Charging by Induction

Charging a neutral object by bringing a charged object nearby without physical contact.

Electric Discharge

The rapid transfer of electric charge from one object to another.

Current Electricity

The controlled flow of electrons through a conductor.

Electric Circuit

A continuous path in which electrons can flow.

Load

A device that transforms electrical energy into other usable forms of energy.

Switch

A device in an electric circuit that controls the flow of electrons by opening or closing the circuit.

Electrical Energy

The energy provided by the flow of electrons in an electric circuit.

Electric Cell

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Primary Cell

An electric cell that may only be used once.

Secondary Cell

An electric cell that can be recharged.

Direct Current (DC)

A flow of electrons in one direction through an electric circuit.

Alternating Current (AC)

A flow of electrons that alternates in direction.

Renewable Energy Source

A source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively short period of time.

Non-renewable Energy Source

A source of energy that cannot be replaced once it is used up.

Efficiency

The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input.

Electric Current (I)

The rate of electron flow past a specific point in a circuit; measured in amperes.

Ampere (A)

The SI unit for electric current.

Ammeter

A device used to measure electric current.

Potential Difference (V)

The difference in electrical potential energy per unit charge between two points; also called voltage.

Volt (V)

The SI unit for potential difference.

Voltmeter

A device used to measure potential difference.

Electrical Resistance (R)

The ability of a material to oppose the flow of electric current.

Ohm (Ω)

The SI unit for electrical resistance.

Ohmmeter

A device used to measure electrical resistance.

Ohm's Law

The straight-line relationship between voltage and current ($V = IR$).

Series Circuit

A circuit in which loads are connected end to end so that there is only one path for electrons to flow.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit in which loads are connected in branches so that there are two or more paths for electrons to flow.