Physics Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary terms and concepts in physics related to electric current, resistance, power, and more. Use them to test your understanding and prepare for exams.

Electric Current

A continuous flow of electric charges in a conducting path.

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current through a conductor.

Resistivity

The resistance offered by a material per unit cross-sectional area over length.

Ohm's Law

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance; V = I × R.

Electric Potential Difference

The work done to move a unit charge from one point to another.

Electromotive Force (EMF)

The potential difference delivered by a battery when no current flows.

Drift Velocity

The average speed of charge carriers in a conductor under an electric field.

Current Density

The amount of electric current flowing per unit cross-sectional area.

Conventional Current

The flow of electric charge from positive to negative.

Electron Flow

The movement of electrons, which flow from negative to positive.

Voltage (V)

The electric potential difference between two points.

Current (I)

The rate of flow of electric charge.

Resistance (R)

The measure of the opposition to current flow in a circuit.

Unit (Ampere)

The unit of electric current, equal to one coulomb per second.

Ohm (Ω)

The unit of resistance; it is the resistance between two points.

Coulomb (C)

The unit of electric charge.

Ampere (A)

The SI unit of electric current.

Power (P)

The rate at which electrical energy is converted to another form.

Electric Power

The rate at which electrical work is done.

Length (L)

The measurement of the longest dimension of a conductor.

Cross-Sectional Area (A)

The area of a cut surface through a conductor.

Temperature Coefficient

A measure of how much a property changes with temperature.

Conductivity

The ability of a material to conduct electric current.

Charge (Q)

The physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electric field.

Elementary Charge (e-)

The smallest unit of electric charge, approximately -1.6 x 10^-19 C.

Internal Resistance (r)

The resistance within a battery that reduces the voltage available to the external circuit.

Terminal Voltage (V_term)

The voltage across the terminals of a battery when current is flowing.

SI Unit of Voltage

Volt (V), the unit of electric potential difference.

SI Unit of Power

Watt (W), the unit of power equivalent to one joule per second.

Ohmic Conductor

A conductor that obeys Ohm's law, where resistance is constant.

Non-Ohmic Conductor

A conductor that does not obey Ohm's law, with variable resistance.

Conductor

A material that allows the flow of electric charge.

Insulator

A material that resists the flow of electric current.

Superconductor

A material that can conduct electricity without resistance below a certain temperature.

Voltage Divider

A circuit with resistors to create a specific voltage from a higher voltage source.

Electric Field

A field surrounding electric charges that exerts force on other charges.

Capacitance

The ability of a system to store electric charge.

Battery

A device that stores electrical energy in chemical form and converts it to electric energy.

Current Flow

The movement of electric charge in a circuit.

Short Circuit

An event where current takes a shortcut, bypassing the intended path, leading to high current.

Inductance

The tendency of a conductor to oppose a change in current.

AC (Alternating Current)

An electric current that reverses direction periodically.

DC (Direct Current)

An electric current flowing in one direction only.