Electric Charge, Circuits, and Electromagnetism Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering electric charges, circuit principles, electromagnetic devices, and charge transfer mechanisms.

Neutral

The state of an object having an equal amount of positive and negative charge, balancing each other out.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that moves through conductors, creating electric current.

Circuit

A loop through which electric current can flow.

Induction

The process of generating an electric current using a moving electric or magnetic field, or using an electric field to push charges around.

Motor

A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy (motion) by induction.

Generator

A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by induction.

Turbine

A machine with rotating blades that captures the energy of moving fluid (such as water, steam, or air).

Conductor

A material that electricity can flow through easily, made up of atoms whose electrons can move away freely (e.g., copper and aluminum).

Magnet

An object that produces a magnetic field, which can attract or repel other magnetic materials.

Solenoid

A coil of wire that generates a magnetic field when electric current passes through it.

Voltage

The "push" that drives electric current through a circuit, measured in volts ($\text{V}$).

Current

The "flow" of electric charge, measured in amperes ($\text{A}$).

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current in a material, measured in ohms ($\Omega$).

Power

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred or used, measured in watts ($\text{W}$).

Photon

The particle name for light.

Friction (Electrostatics)

A method of charge movement where rubbing two surfaces together transfers charge due to differing electron affinities.

Conduction (Electrostatics)

A method of charge movement where charge transfers between or through materials to balance out when surfaces touch or come close enough to create a channel.

Electric Potential Difference

The formal name for voltage, which measures electrical potential difference in units of volts ($\text{V}$).