History of Electricity, Atomic Structure, and Static Electricity

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of electricity history, atomic structure, mechanisms for producing and utilizing electricity, static electricity phenomena, and lightning protection systems.

Electricity

A form of energy that can be harnessed and used to do work.

Energy

A body that can do work, which can be neither created nor destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Law of Charges

A law stating that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.

Matter

Anything that has a mass and occupies space, existing as a solid, liquid, or gas depending on its temperature.

Element

Any substance that cannot be chemically divided into two or more simpler substances.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element.

Compound

A substance made up of atoms of more than one element.

Molecule

The combination of atoms of two or more elements, representing the smallest particle of a compound.

Nucleus

The core or center of an atom, made of protons and neutrons.

Protons

Small particles possessing a positive charge located within the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Small particles possessing a neutral charge located within the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

The specific number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which differentiates it from all other elements.

Electrons

Small particles possessing a negative charge that orbit around the nucleus of an atom.

Centripetal Force

The force of attraction the nucleus exerts on electrons, causing their orbital movement around the nucleus.

Maximum Electron Shell Formula

The formula $2N^2$, used to calculate the maximum number of electrons an atomic layer or shell may contain.

Valance Shell

The outer shell of an atom, furthest from the nucleus.

Valance Electrons

Electrons located in the valance shell of an atom.

Conductors

Elements with atoms that have $1$, $2$, or $3$ valance electrons, allowing electrons to move easily.

Insulators

Elements with atoms that have $7$ or $8$ valance electrons, which resist electron flow by not allowing the movement of their valance electrons.

Semi-conductors

Elements with atoms that have $4$ valance electrons, which are neither good conductors nor insulators.

Free Electrons

Valance electrons that have been knocked out of their orbit by an external force.

Ion

An atom that has either lost or gained an electron and possesses a positive or negative charge.

Primary Cells

Electrochemical cells designed for one-time use.

Secondary Cells

Electrochemical cells that can be used multiple times.

Voltaic Cells

Cells made up of $2$ different types of metal called electrodes placed in a chemical substance called an electrolyte.

Piezoelectricity

Electrical energy produced by placing a material, usually a crystal, under pressure by compressing, stretching, bending, or twisting it.

Seebeck Effect

The production of a small voltage when two different metals are joined together and their junction point is heated.

Thermocouple

A device utilizing two joined different metals that produces a small voltage when heated.

Thermopile

Several thermocouples placed in series.

Photons

Tiny particles that transmit light energy from sunlight.

Photovoltaic

A type of semi-conductor material that produces a voltage when exposed to photons from sunlight.

Electromagnetism

The magnetic field produced around a conductor when electric current flows through it.

Electrolysis

The process of using an electrical current to cause a chemical reaction, used in electroplating metals, chemical production, and refining copper.

Static Electricity

An electrical charge that is at rest or stationary, with no current flow.

Electroscope

A simple device used to determine the polarity of objects possessing a static charge.

Electrostatic Induction

The interaction of an electrostatically charged object with nearby objects, giving them a charge by attracting or repelling electrons.

Lightning

A powerful discharge of electrostatic potential that occurs mostly within clouds or between clouds and the ground.

Electron Flow Theory

The theory stating that current will flow from negative to positive.

Lightning Rods

Protection devices attached to building structures to bleed off current to ground when struck by lightning to prevent damage.

Lightning Arrestors

Protection devices installed close to power lines that remain non-conductive during normal line voltage but allow excess voltage from a lightning strike to overcome space resistance.

Potential Energy Difference

Also called voltage, it is the difference in charges between an object with a surplus of electrons (negative potential) and an object with a deficiency of electrons (positive potential).

Electrostatic Lines of Force

Invisible lines of force existing between charged objects that cause attraction and repulsion.