FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRIC CHARGES

SCIENCE 8 TH GRADE

Electric charge

A property of particles or objects that causes them to attract or repel each other without touching.

Electric force

The force of attraction and repulsion between charged particles.

Protons

Have a positive charge.

Electrons

Have a negative charge.

Neutrons

Have a neutral charge.

Law of Electric Charges

Unlike charges attract; like charges repel.

Electric Field

This is the space around a charged particle where the particle exerts electric force.

Electric Field Interaction

When particles are close to each other, the electric fields interact without touching the particles.

Nucleus Charge

An electromagnetic force keeps electrons in orbit around the nucleus of an atom due to the nucleus' positive charge and the electrons' negative charge.

Atoms losing electrons

Atoms that lose electrons become positively charged.

Atoms gaining electrons

Atoms that gain electrons become negatively charged.

Methods of Charging

There are 3 methods of charging: Conduction, Induction, Friction.

Conduction

Direct contact between materials that differ in their ability to give or accept electrons.

Induction

Without touching, electrons in a neutral object move due to the electric field of a nearby object.

Friction

Causes electrons to move between objects that differ in their ability to give or accept electrons.

Conductors

Most metals are conductors; they easily give up or accept electrons.

Insulators

Electricity cannot pass through insulators; they resist the flow of electrons.

Energy Difference

In order for an electric charge to move from one position to another, there needs to be a difference in energy between the two positions.

Electron Movement

The movement of electrons always goes from areas of high energy to low energy in order to balance the energy levels.

Static Electricity

The buildup of electric charges (electrons) on an object.

Current Electricity

Electricity moving through a circuit.

Charge Buildup

Charge buildup occurs when there is an imbalance between the negative and positive charges on an object.

Charge Flow

Charge flow occurs when the buildup of electrons on one object suddenly flows to another object that has fewer charges.

Electric discharge

Imbalance of electric charges.

Static electricity

Electricity that is not moving; the buildup of electric charge.

Rubbing a balloon

An example of electric discharge where electrons shift from your shirt to the balloon.

Lightning

Occurs when negative charges build up at the bottom of a cloud and discharge through the air.

Current Electricity

The continuous flow of electrons through a wire.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current that flows in one direction.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses direction periodically.

Ohm's Law

Describes the relationship between electrical current, voltage, and resistance.

Current

Measured as the amount of charges that flow past a point in a certain amount of time.

Voltage

The difference in electrical energy between the + and - terminals of a battery.

Resistance

Opposes the flow of electrons in a current.

Amp (A)

Unit of measure for current.

Volt (V)

Unit of measure for voltage.

Ohm (Ω)

Unit of measure for resistance.

Higher voltage

Results in a faster current.

Higher resistance

Results in a slower current.

Heat

A form of energy that resistance can transform electrical energy into.

Electricity Comparisons

Comparing different types of wires and their effects on electricity.

Least resistance

The option with the least amount of friction.

Electricity Quizlet

A platform for learning about electricity concepts.