Stage Lighting and Basic Electricity Review

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing basic electrical theory, circuit components, wire standards, and the controllable qualities and functions of stage lighting design.

Electron Theory

The principle stating that all matter is made up of atoms, which consist of smaller particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons.

Electron

A tiny particle having a negative charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Proton

A particle located in the center or nucleus of an atom that possesses a positive electric charge.

Neutron

A particle that has no charge and, together with the positively charged proton, makes up the center or nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

The center of an atom, consisting of protons and neutrons.

Current Flow

The movement of electric charge from negative to positive terminals, driven by the principle that unlike charges attract and like charges repel.

Voltage

The electrical pressure required to free an electron; the unit of measure for electrical potential.

Ampere (Amp)

The measurement of electrical current describing the speed, direction, amount, and volume of current that flows through one ohm under a pressure of one volt.

Ohm

The SI unit of electrical resistance, expressing the resistance in a circuit transmitting a current of one ampere when subjected to a potential difference of one volt.

Source

The mechanism that serves as the origin of electrical potential in an electrical system, such as a battery.

Load

A device in an electrical system that converts electrical energy into another form of energy, such as light, heat, mechanical energy, or sound.

Circuit

The pathway that electrical current follows as it flows from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the source.

American Wire Gauge (AWG)

A standard for measuring the diameter of wire, where a higher gauge number indicates a thinner wire with more electrical resistance.

Conductor

A metallic material, such as copper, gold, or silver, that is capable of carrying an electric current.

Insulator

A non-metallic material, such as rubber, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramic, that is incapable of carrying an electric current.

Distribution

A controllable quality of light that includes the direction of approach, shape and size of coverage, cohesiveness or clarity/diffusion, and texture/focus.

Intensity

A controllable quality of light representing the actual amount or level of brightness striking the stage or actor, controllable from $0\%$ to $100\%$.

Movement

A controllable quality of light categorized into timed duration of a lighting cue, movement of onstage lights (e.g., lanterns or candles), and movement of offstage lights (e.g., followspots or Icues).

Colour

A controllable quality of light achieved using colour media to project the full range of the rainbow to establish atmosphere, conflict, or danger.

Visibility

A stage lighting function that ensures actors, costumes, and sets are clearly visible to the audience in the precise manner intended by the production design team.

Selective Focus

A stage lighting function that directs audience attention to a specific area of the stage, commonly accomplished by increasing light intensity on the primary subject.

Modeling

A stage lighting function that sculpts, modifies, and alters the perceived form of actors and scenery through the controlled manipulation of highlight and shadow patterns.

Mood

A stage lighting function designed to unobtrusively enhance and reinforce the production concept and atmospheric environment of a performance.