Electricity & Magnetism

Electricity

A form of energy involving the movement of charge.

Charge

A property of matter that can be positive or negative.

Electron

Negatively charged particle that moves to create current.

Current

The flow of electric charge (measured in amps).

Circuit

A complete path that allows current to flow.

Cell

A single source of electrical energy.

Battery

Two or more cells connected together.

Voltage

A measure of the energy carried by electrons.

Resistance

Opposition to the flow of current.

Conductor

Material that allows electrons to flow easily.

Insulator

Material that does not allow electrons to flow easily.

Switch

Device used to open or close a circuit.

Series circuit

Circuit with only one path for the current.

Parallel circuit

Circuit with two or more paths for the current.

Ammeter

Device used to measure current.

Voltmeter

Device used to measure voltage.

Lamp

Component that converts electrical energy into light.

Motor

Component that converts electrical energy into movement.

Fuse

Safety device that melts and breaks the circuit if current is too high.

Magnet

Object that produces a magnetic field.

Magnetic field

The area around a magnet where magnetic forces act.

Pole

The ends of a magnet (north and south).

North pole

The pole of a magnet that points north.

South pole

The pole of a magnet that points south.

Attract

When opposite magnetic poles pull towards each other.

Repel

When like magnetic poles push away from each other.

Magnetic material

Material that can be attracted to a magnet (iron, nickel, cobalt).

Electromagnet

A magnet made by passing current through a coil of wire.

Solenoid

A coil of wire used to make an electromagnet.

Electromagnetism

The link between electricity and magnetism.

Coil

Wire wound into loops.

Iron core

Piece of iron placed inside a coil to make an electromagnet stronger.

Generator

Device that converts movement into electricity.

Transformer

Device that changes the voltage of electricity.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that will not run out (e.g. solar, wind).