Year 10 Science - Unit 4: Electricity and Magnetism

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts of static electricity, simple electrical circuits, and electromagnetism from Year 10 Science Unit 4.

Current

The flow of electrical charge through a circuit, measured in amps.

Voltage (Potential Difference)

A measure of the energy difference between two points in an electrical circuit, measured in volts.

Conductor

A material that permits or facilitates the movement of electric charge.

Insulator

A material that prevents or restricts the movement of electric charge.

Electric Generator

A device that creates electric current when a moving magnet pushes electrons (such as in a wind turbine).

Electric Motor

A device that produces motion when a magnet pushes a current-carrying wire (moving electrons).

Static Electricity

An accumulation of electric charge and energy, such as that formed when rubbing shoes across a carpet.

Series Circuit

A simple circuit where components are arranged along a single, continuous pathway for current to flow.

Bohr's Model of the Atom

An atomic model representing the structure of an atom—including protons, neutrons, and electrons—in relation to electrical charge.

Magnetic Field

A field of force produced by magnets or generated around moving electrical charge (current).

Electromagnet

A magnet created by running a moving electrical charge (current) to produce a magnetic field.

Fuse / Circuit Breaker

A basic circuit safety device designed to break a circuit and stop current flow during unsafe electrical conditions.

Residual Current Device (RCD)

A specialized circuit safety mechanism designed to quickly disconnect power and prevent electrical harm.

Ground / Earth

A fundamental safety feature in electrical circuits that provides a safe pathway for excess charge.

Ammeter

An instrument used in an electrical circuit to measure electric current in amps.

Voltmeter

An instrument connected across components in a circuit to measure voltage or potential difference in volts.

Ferromagnetic

A classification of materials that exhibit magnetic properties and can be strongly attracted to magnets.

Power Source

A component, such as a battery, that provides the necessary electrical energy to drive charge through a circuit.

Load

An electrical component, such as a resistor or lightbulb, that consumes electrical energy to perform work.

Switch

A component that opens or closes an electrical path, rendering a circuit complete or incomplete.