Untitled Flashcard Set

What is electricity?

The flow of electric charge or the physical phenomena associated with charged particles.

Electrostatics

The study of electric charges at rest, highlighting how they interact with each other and their surroundings.

Electrical energy

The energy acquired by charged particles due to their charge and their position in an electric field.

What are the sources of electrical energy?

Includes batteries, generators, and photovoltaic cells that convert other forms of energy into electrical energy.

Electrostatic forces

The attractive or repulsive forces between charged objects; like charges repel, while opposite charges attract.

What is the difference between conductors and insulators?

Conductors permit easy flow of electric current (e.g., metals), while insulators resist current flow (e.g., rubber, glass).

What is electric current?

The flow of electric charge through a circuit, typically measured in amperes (A).

What are the three things needed to make an electric circuit?

Voltage source, closed loop, and resistor.

Ohm's Law

V = I x R; defines the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R).

What type of wave is a sound wave?

Longitudinal wave.

What type of wave is an electromagnetic wave?

Transverse wave.

What is the wavelength?

The distance for one complete vibration or cycle of a wave.

What is frequency?

The number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given time, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Amplitude

Distance from the center line or still position of the wave to either the top of the crest or the bottom of the trough.

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

Classification of electromagnetic waves according to frequency, including radio, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

What is the Doppler effect?

An increase (or decrease) in the frequency of sound, light, or other waves as the source and observer move toward (or away from) each other.

What is reflection?

When a wave hits a surface and part of it bounces back.

What is refraction?

Bending of waves due to a change in speed when entering a new medium.

What type of wave interference results in increased amplitude?

Constructive interference.

What type of wave interference results in decreased amplitude?

Destructive interference.

What are electromagnetic waves made of?

Vibrating electric and magnetic fields.

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in space?

300,000 km/s.