Static Electricity and Circuits Flashcards

Flashcards based on static electricity and circuits lecture notes.

Static Electricity

The buildup of charged particles in one place.

Electron Charge

Negative

Atom's Central Core

Nucleus

Neutral Atom

The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.

Negative Ion

An atom that has excess/extra electrons.

Friction and Electrons

One material scrapes them off and deposits them on the other material.

Atom Losing an Electron

The atom has a positive charge.

Cause of Electron Movement and Sparks

The attraction between a positive charge and a negative charge.

Spark Composition

A stream of moving electrons.

Spark vs Lightning

Lightning is just a big spark.

Opposite Charges

They will attract.

Charging Without Contact

Induction

Materials Allowing Static Electricity to Pass

Conductors

Electrical Resistance

Is the property of a substance that slows down the movement of electrons and converts electrical energy into other forms of energy.

Ohm

The unit used for measuring resistance.

Current

The movement of electrons (charges) through a conductor.

Voltage

Is what makes the electrons move through the conductor.

Resistance

Works against and slows down the motion of the electrons.

Ohm's Law

A mathematical equation that shows how voltage, current, and resistance are related: resistance = voltage / current

Resistor

A component in a circuit that has a specific resistance; used to control current or voltage.

Electric Circuit

A complete pathway through which electrons can flow.

Electric Current

The amount of charge that passes a point in a conducting wire each second, measured in amperes (A).

Ammeter

A device used to measure electric current.

Series Circuit

An electric circuit that has only one pathway for electric current to take.

Parallel Circuit

An electric circuit that has two or more pathways for electric current to take.

Power

P= I x V (current x voltage)

Conductor

A material that allows electricity to pass through it.

Insulator

A material that does not let electricity pass through it.