Electricity and Magnetism Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to electricity and magnetism, including static discharge, charge transfer methods, circuit components, and the principles of magnetism.

What is Static Discharge?

The sudden flow of electric charge between two charged objects, often observed as lightning.

Define Grounding.

The process of removing excess electrical charge on an object by transferring electrons to another object, redirecting charge to the ground.

What is an Electroscope used for?

A tool used to detect the presence and magnitude of an electric charge.

What are Conductors?

Materials that allow electrons to flow easily through them.

Give examples of Insulators.

Plastic, wood, rubber, and glass.

What is Conduction?

Transfer of electrons through direct contact between objects.

How is charge transferred through Friction?

By rubbing objects together, causing electrons to be transferred.

Describe Induction in the context of electric charge.

Transfer of electrons through electric fields working over a distance, inducing a charge on a neutral object.

What is an Atom?

The simplest form of matter, made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is Static Electricity?

A charge imbalance that results in the buildup of excess electric charge on an object.

What happens when a charge imbalance is neutralized?

It results in an electric shock on the surface of the charged object.

What does the Law of Conservation of Charge state?

Charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.

What is an Electric Field?

An area surrounding charged particles where a force can be exerted.

What does Resistance (R) refer to?

The tendency of a material to oppose the flow of electrons.

What are Ohms?

The unit of measurement for resistance.

List the factors affecting resistance in a wire.

Material, size of the wire, length of the wire, and temperature of the wire.

What does Ohm's Law state?

The amount of current is directly proportional to the voltage difference.

Calculate voltage if current is 0.75 Amps and resistance is 10 Ohms.

Voltage (V) = 7.5 V.

What is Electric Current (I)?

The net movement of electric charge in a direction, measured in Amperes.

Define Voltage Difference (V).

The push that causes charge to move, measured in Volts.

What is a Circuit?

A closed path through which electric current flows.

What happens when a switch in a circuit is open?

Current will not flow.

What is the role of a Battery in a circuit?

To convert chemical energy into electrical energy, providing voltage difference.

What does a Voltmeter measure?

The voltage drop in a circuit.

What is a Series Circuit?

A circuit with only one path for current to travel through.

What is a Parallel Circuit?

A circuit with multiple pathways for current to travel through.

What is an Electromagnet?

A temporary magnet made by placing a piece of iron inside a current-carrying coil.

How does an Electric Motor work?

It uses an electromagnet to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

What is Ferromagnetism?

A phenomenon where certain materials become magnetized in a strong magnetic field.

Describe how electricity and magnetism are related.

Moving electric charge produces a magnetic field.

What is a Magnet?

A material that generates an external magnetic field, creating attractive or repulsive forces.

What is Magnetic Force?

The force that exists between magnetic objects, which can be attractive or repulsive.

Describe a Magnetic Field.

External force given off by a magnet, strongest at the poles.

What happens to magnetic forces as magnets are moved further apart?

Magnetic forces decrease in strength.

What signifies that magnetic poles cannot be isolated?

North and South poles are always found in pairs within magnets.

How does current affect the strength of a magnetic field?

The stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic field produced.

What does the term 'Polarization' refer to in induction?

The realignment of charge distribution in a neutral object due to the presence of a charged object.

How is charge transferred through direct contact?

By placing two conductive objects in contact, allowing electrons to flow from one to the other.

Explain the importance of the number of loops in an electromagnet's coil.

More loops of wire result in a stronger magnetic field.

State the effect of temperature on resistivity of materials.

Higher temperature generally increases resistance.

What occurs to electric charge as voltage increases?

A higher voltage causes a greater electric current to flow.

Identify the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance mathematically.

V = IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.

What is the significance of the net electric charge?

It is always constant throughout the system.

Explain the concept of charge polarization.

Charge polarization occurs when the negative charges in a neutral object are displaced nearer to or farther from a nearby charged object.

What is the difference between series and parallel circuits regarding component failure?

In series circuits, if one component fails, the entire circuit stops; in parallel circuits, other pathways allow the circuit to continue functioning.

Define 'Circuit Breaker' in electrical systems.

A safety device designed to interrupt the electrical flow when excessive current is detected.