Science 10 Unit 1 - Electricity and Magnetism Vocabulary

Electrical Conductor

A material that allows electricity to flow through - usually metals

Electrical Insulator

A material that does not allow electricity to flow through - includes plastic, wood, and rubber.

Magnetic Fields (direction, field)

Magnetic influence on moving electrical charges. Alike charges repel, opposite charges attract.

Resistor

Device used to vary the current or voltage

Variable Resistor

Device used to vary the current or voltage

Voltmeter

Device that measures voltage

Current

The rate of flow of electrons in an oriented direction - from negative to positive side of a battery. Measured in Amps

Parallel Circuit

Has different pathways. The electrical current divides between the pathways. Only part of the current flows through a path. Can be on/off individually - ex. house lights.

Series Circuit

All parts of the circuit are connected one after the other to form a loop. The current is the same at each part of the circuit - ex. Christmas string lights.

Voltage

The energy given to the charges around a circuit - measured in Volts (V)