SCI 126 1.4 Electricity, Simple Circuits and Magnetism

Electric Circuit

a complete, unbroken path through which electric charges can flow

Closed Circuit

is a complete, uninterrupted path through which electric current flows continuously from a power source

Open Circuit

an incomplete electrical circuit in which no current flows

Conductor

is a material that allows electric charge to flow through it easily

Current

A flow of electric charge

series circuit

is an electrical circuit in which all components are connected end-to-end along a single path, so the same current flows through each component.

Parallel Circuit

A parallel circuit is an electrical circuit in which components are connected across multiple paths, allowing current to flow through more than one branch while maintaining the same voltage across each component.

Attract

to exert a force that draws two objects or particles toward each other

Repel

means to push objects or particles away from each other due to forces such as electric charge

Bar Magnet

a magnet in the form of a bar with magnetic poles at each end (north and south)

Magnetic Field

area around a magnet or electric current where magnetic forces can act.

Ferromagnetic

relating to matter with strong magnetic properties

Magnetize

to make magnetic

North Pole

The end of a magnet that points toward Earth's magnetic north and repels another north pole but attracts a south pole.

South Pole

The end of a magnet that attracts a north pole and repels another south pole.