Unit 7 Vocabulary: Electricity and Magnetism

Parallel circuit

An electric circuit with two or more paths through which charge can flow

Series circuit

An electric circuit with only one path through which charge can flow

Electric current

The rate (how fast) at which electric charges pass a given point in a circuit. Measured using the unit "Ampere (A or Amp)". In an equation, the symbol for current is upper case "I".

Static electricity

The buildup of electrical charges on an object

Insulator

A material that does not allow heat or electrons to move through it easily.

Conductor

A material that allows heat and electricity to pass through it.

Load

Any device in a circuit that uses electricity to do work. Acts as a "resistance" to the path of the current. Example: Light bulbs, appliances

Battery

A device, made up of several electrical cells, that converts chemical energy to electrical energy

Open circuit

a circuit with a gap, it will not work

Electric (or Static) discharge

The loss of static electricity as electric charges transfer from one object to another

Magnet

any material that attracts iron and materials that contain iron

Magnetic field

The area of magnetic force around a magnet

Electromagnet

A material made of iron that acts as a magnet when an electric current is passed through it.

Cell (electrical)

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy

Law of Electric Charges

States that "like" charges repel, "opposite (unlike)" charges attract

Electric Force

The force between charged objects. Depends on the SIZE of the charges and the DISTANCE between the charges

Closed circuit

An electric circuit through which current can flow in an uninterrupted path.

Ampere (A)

A unit to measure electric current

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric charges. Measured using the unit "ohms", expressed as the Greek letter "omega". In an equation, the symbol for Resistance is "R"

Electrical circuit

A complete, closed path through which electric charges flow

Voltage

The amount of energy released when an electrical charge moves between two points in a circuit. Expressed in Volts (V)

Volts (V)

The unit used for Voltage

Ohms

The unit used for Resistance, expressed as the Greek letter omega

Ohm's Law

The current (I) in a circuit equals the voltage (V) divided by the resistance (R)

Electrical power

The rate (how fast) at which electrical energy is used to do work. The unit for power is Watts (W)

Electrical motor

A device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. Example: Washing machines, blenders

Electrical generator

A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Transistors

Semiconductor devices made from silicon, and other semiconductor materials used in an amplifier or a switch.

Semiconductor

Material that is in between a conductor and an insulator in terms of transferring electric current. Example: silicon chips used in electronic devices.

Diode

A device that permits current to flow through it in only one direction.

Magnetic force

The force of repulsion or attraction between the poles of magnets

Electromagnetism

The interaction between electricity and magnetism

Electronic circuit

A circuit which is used to transfer data or information. Example: TV remote, computer, cell phones

Electromagnetic induction

The process by which an electric current is produced by a changing magnetic field