Energy, Static Electricity, and Electric Circuits

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering energy forms, transfer methods, static electricity, and basic electrical circuit concepts.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change, including forms like Kinetic, Heat, Light, Chemical, Elastic Potential, Gravitational, Magnetic, Nuclear, and Electrical.

Mechanically (Energy Transfer)

When a force (such as a push, pull, stretch, or squeeze) acts on an object to transfer energy to its kinetic store.

Electrically (Energy Transfer)

When an electrical current flows due to a potential difference.

By Heating (Energy Transfer)

When heat energy flows naturally from a hotter object to a colder object, or changes through temperature differences.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct physical contact, such as touching a hot pan.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of heated liquids or gases, such as warm air rising in a room.

By Radiation (Energy Transfer)

When energy is transmitted as waves, such as light, sound, or infrared.

The Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but only be changed from one form to another (transferred or transformed).

Static Energy

The temporary buildup of electric charge on the surface of a material.

Charge Separation

A process occurring when two materials rub together and electrons transfer from one to the other, creating an imbalance of positive and negative charges.

Discharge

When a charged person or object gets close to a conductor and electrons jump across the gap to equalize, resulting in a quick spark or zap.

Renewable

Resources that will never run out because they are always being replenished by natural process.

Non-renewable

Resources that cannot be replenished within a lifetime, meaning they will eventually run out.

Electricity

The set of physical phenomena caused by the movement and interaction of tiny, charged particles called electrons.

Electric Cells

Portable and safe sources that supply a little electricity.

Electric current

The flow of electricity that makes an electrical appliance work.

Electric circuit

The path along which the electric current moves.

Ampere ($A$)

The SI unit for electric current.

Milliampere ($mA$)

A unit for measuring smaller currents, where $1000\,mA = 1\,A$ and $1\,mA = 0.001\,A$.

Ammeter

An instrument used for measuring electric current that must be connected in series in the circuit.

Voltage

The electrical pressure that pushes electrical current through a circuit.

Electromotive Force (E.M.F)

The maximum electrical potential energy a source (like a battery or generator) can provide per unit of electric charge.

Battery

A power source formed when two or more cells are connected together.

Series Circuits

Circuits where components are connected end to end to make a simple loop for the current to flow.

Parallel Circuits

Circuits where components are connected side by side and the current has a choice of routes; if one bulb blows, the others stay alight.

Electric Conductors (e.g. Copper, Silver)

The material that allows electricity to pass through it

Excess

One material that gets an excess of electrons

Deficit

One material that gets an excess of protons

Negative to Positive

The direction of electric current flowing

Closed

Complete Circuits

Open

Incomplete Circuits