SNC1D - Ch.12 Current Electricity Review Terms

current electricity

the controlled from of electric charges (electrons) through a conductor

switch

controls the flow of electrons by opening or closing the circuit

conducting (connecting) wires

provides a path for the electrons to flow

load

converts electrical energy into other forms of energy

source

provides/generates the electrical energy to a circuit

electrical circuit

a continuous path in which electrons can flow

electrical energy

the energy provided by the flow of electrons

Two main sources of electrical energy are...

electric cells and electric generating stations

electric cell

a portable device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy

An electric cell consists of ...

two metal electrons and an electrolyte

primary cells

electric cells that can only by used once

secondary cells

electric cells that can be recharged

fuel cells

electric cells that have a continuous supply of chemicals

direct current (DC)

the flow of electrons is in one direction

alternating current (AC)

the flow of electrons alternates in direction

Generators are composed of...

a moving coil of copper wire inside the poles of a magnet

Most of the electricity in Ontario is produced by...

nuclear power plants

hydroelectric

electricity is produced from the energy of falling water

tidal

the movement of tides is used to produce electricity

thermal generation

involves heating water into steam which turns a turbine connected to a generator

fossil fuels

burning them releases large amounts of energy for thermal generation

nuclear

uses uranium which undergoes nuclear fission, releasing large amounts of energy for thermal generation

biomass

burning plant and animal matter or the gases they produce to release energy for thermal generation

geothermal

uses the heat from deep in the Earth for thermal generation

wind

directly turns the blades of large turbines to generate electricity

solar

a photovoltaic cells convert light energy directly into electricity

electrical power

the rate which electrical energy is produced or consumed in a given period of time

Watt

a measure of electrical power: 1 W = 1 J/s

kW.h

-a larger measure of electrical energy than Joules

-used to measure the amount of electricity used in your home

on-peak

the most expensive time of day to use electricity

off-peak

the least expensive time of day to use electricity

energy efficiency

a measure of how much useful energy an electrical device produces compared to how much energy was supplied to it

EnerGuide label

shows the average annual energy consumption of an appliance

Energy Star label

shows that the appliance has met the minimum level of efficiency