Electricity, Circuits, Magnetism, and Forces: Key Concepts and Definitions

unit of measurement for electric current.

Ampere

The flow of electrons through a circuit

Electrical Current

a subatomic partical with a negitive charge

Electron

unit of electrical resistance

Ohms

V = I x R

Ohm's Law

How much a material opposes the flow of current

Resistance

The amount of energy or push given to electrons

Voltage

The unit of voltage.

Volt

Power source which stores chemical energy to power a circuit.

Battery

A pathway for electricity to flow.

Circuit

A curcit with only one pathway for electrons to flow

Series Circuit

A circuit with more than one path.

Parallel Circuit

A complete pathway with no gaps.

Closed Circuit

A broken pathway where current cannot flow.

Open Circuit

Any part of a circuit

Component

The points on a component where current enters or leaves.

Terminal

A conductor that carries electricity.

Wire

A component that opens or closes a circuit to turn it on or off.

Switch

A component that produces light.

Light bulb

A component designed to reduce current.

Resistor

A device that measures current at one point in a circuit

Ammeter

A device that measures voltage between two points 

Voltmeter

The battery end that electrons flow out of.

Negative Terminal

The battery end that electrons flow towards.

Positive Terminal

A non-contact force that can attract or repel metal

Magnetism

Attracted to a magnet

Magnetic

space surrounding a magnet where its magnetic force acts

Magnetic Field

A magnet that stays magnetised for a long time

Permanent Magnet

A material that becomes magnetised for a short time

Temporary Magnet

A magnet made by electricity flowing through a wire around a material

Electromagnet

when electric currents produce a magnetic field

Electromagnetism

The push or pull between magnets.

Magnetic Force

A force that acts without touching

Non-Contact Force

The force made by a current carrying wire.

Electromagnetic Force

When charged objects attract or repel

Electrostatic Force

The variable kept the same in an experiment.

Controlled Variable

The variable you change in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable you measure in an experiment.

Dependent Variable