Static Electricity and Current Electricity

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture notes on static and current electricity.

Electric charge

A form of charge, either positive or negative, that exerts an electric force.

Neutral object

An object that has equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Negatively charged object

An object that has more electrons than protons.

Positively charged object

An object that has fewer electrons than protons.

Static electricity

An imbalance of electric charge on the surface of an object.

Electric force

The force exerted by an object with an electric charge; can be a force of attraction or a force of repulsion.

Induced charge separation

A shift in the position of electrons in a neutral object that occurs when a charged object is brought near it.

Charging by friction

The transfer of electrons between two neutral objects (made from different materials) that occurs when they are rubbed together or come in contact (touch).

Electrostatic series

A list of materials arranged in order of their tendency to gain electrons.

Charging by conduction

Charging an object by contact with a charged object.

Grounding

Connecting an object to a large body, like Earth, that is capable of effectively removing an electric charge that the object might have.

Conductor

A material that lets electrons move easily through it.

Insulator

A material that does not easily allow the movement of electrons through it.

Charging by induction

Charging a neutral object by bringing another charged object close to, but not touching, the neutral object.

Electric discharge

The rapid transfer of electric charge from one object to another.

Current electricity

The controlled flow of electrons through a conductor.

Electric circuit

A continuous path in which electrons can flow.

Switch

A device in an electric circuit that controls the flow of electrons by opening (or closing) the circuit.

Load

The part of an electric circuit that converts electrical energy into other forms of energy.

Electrical energy

The energy provided by the flow of electrons in an electric circuit.

Electric cell

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Primary cell

An electric cell that may only be used once.

Secondary cell

An electric cell that can be recharged.

Direct current (DC)

A flow of electrons in one direction through an electric circuit.

Alternating current (AC)

A flow of electrons that alternates in direction in an electric circuit.

Renewable resource

Natural energy resource that is unlimited (for example, energy from the Sun or wind) or can be replenished by natural processes in a relatively short period of time (for example, biomass).

Non-renewable energy resource

A resource that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is consumed.

Biomass

Any biological material (including plants and animals).

Photovoltaic cell

A device that converts light energy from any light source directly into electrical energy.

Electrical power

The rate at which electrical energy is produced or used.

Kilowatt∙hour (kW∙h)

The SI unit for measuring electrical energy usage; the use of one kilowatt of power for one hour.

Efficiency

Comparison of the energy output of a device with the energy supplied.

Circuit diagram

A way of drawing an electric circuit using standard symbols.

Series circuit

A circuit in which the loads are connected end to end so that there is only one path for electrons to flow.

Parallel circuit

A circuit in which the loads are connected by branches so that there are two or more paths for electrons to flow.

Electrical current (I)

A measure of the rate of electron flow past a given point in a circuit; measured in amperes (A).

Ammeter

A device used to measure electric current.

Potential difference (Voltage) (V)

The difference in electric potential energy per unit charge measured at two different points; measured in volts (V).

Voltmeter

A device used to measure potential difference (voltage).

Electrical resistance (R)

The ability of a material to oppose the flow of electric current; measured in ohms (Ω).

Ohmmeter

A device used to measure resistance.

Resistor

A device that reduces the flow of electric current.

Ohm’s Law

The straight-line relationship between voltage and current; R = V/I