Year Eight Electricity and Magnetism Revision

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key components, circuit rules, and magnetism concepts from the Year 8 Electricity Revision pack.

Ammeter

A device used to measure the rate of flow of electric current in Amps ($A$), which must be connected in series.

Voltmeter

A device used to measure potential difference ($p.d.$) in Volts ($V$), which is connected in parallel across a component.

Series Circuit

A circuit with only one loop and no junctions where the current is the same at every point.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit with multiple loops and junctions where current splits to go down different branches.

Conductor

A material, such as copper or other metals, that has free electrons allowing electricity to flow easily.

Insulator

A material that does not allow the flow of electricity, such as wood, plastic, rubber, or paint.

Potential Difference ($p.d.$)

Often called voltage, it is the push that moves electrons through a circuit; it is shared between components in series but equal across branches in parallel.

Resistance

A property that opposes the flow of electrons; as resistance increases, the current in the circuit decreases.

Battery

A component that acts as an energy source for a circuit, storing energy in a chemical energy store.

Electromagnet

A temporary magnet made using a nail, wire, and a power source; its strength increases with more coil turns or higher current.

Junction

A point in a parallel circuit where the current into the point equals the current flowing out of the point.

Magnetic Field

The region around a magnet where magnetic forces can be detected; shown by field lines that indicate where the field is strong or weak.

Static Charge

The build-up of electric charge on the surface of an object, which can cause attraction or repulsion.

Cell

A single unit that provides electrical energy to a circuit; adding extra cells increases the total potential difference supplied.

Resistor

A circuit component designed to provide a specific amount of resistance to the flow of current.

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles that flow through a conductor to create an electric current.