Current Electricity

Conductor

A material that allows electrons to pass freely from atom to atom. Metals are examples of this.

Insulator

A material that does not allow electrons to pass freely through it. Examples are glass, wood, plastic, and rubber.

Circuit

A complete pathway for charges to flow

Series

A circuit with only one path for electrons to take.

Parallel

A circuit with multiple paths for electrons to take.

Opposition

When two negative or two positive terminals of a battery are touching. Batteries cancel each other out. No electrons flow from batteries.

Short Circuit

An unwanted, low resistance connection between two points in a circuit where nothing is being powered. Results in excess heat being released.

Current Electricity

Electricity that is able to flow continuously.

Resistance

How hard it is for the electrons to flow through the circuit.

Amperage

The number of electrons flowing past a given point in a second.

Voltage

The amount of force pushing an electric current.

Path of Least Resistance

When there are multiple paths for electrons to take they will flow on the easiest path.

Cell

A battery