Electricity in Physical Science

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to electricity in physical science.

Electric Charge

A fundamental quantity associated with certain subatomic particles, which exists in two types: positive (+) and negative (-).

Atom

The basic unit of matter made up of subatomic particles.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus, with no charge.

Coulomb

The unit of electric charge, named after Charles Coulomb.

Net Charge

The total charge of an object, calculated based on the difference between the number of protons and electrons.

Electric Force

The force that exists between any two charged particles, which can be attractive or repulsive.

Law of Charges

States that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.

Coulomb's Law

Describes the magnitude of the electric force between two charged bodies, stating that the force is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Static Charge

An excess of electrons (negative charge) or a deficit of electrons (positive charge) in an object.

Electric Field

The region surrounding a charged particle within which it can exert an electric force on other charges.

Electric Current

The flow of electric charge in one direction, measured in Amperes (A).

Ohm's Law

States that the voltage across two points is equal to the current flowing between the points times the resistance.

Conductor

A material that allows electric charge to flow readily.

Insulator

A material that resists the flow of electric charge.

Semiconductor

Materials that are neither good conductors nor insulators.

Voltage

The measure of electric potential difference, defined as the work required to move a charge between two points.

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current that flows in one direction only.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses direction periodically.

Series Circuit

A circuit where the same current passes through all components sequentially.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit where voltage across each component is the same, but the current may vary.