Electricity and Circuits

Electron Affinity

Energy released or absorbed when an electron is added to an atom or molecule.

Static Electricity

Accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body.

Ohm's Law

The current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it.

Temperature

Affects the relationship between current and voltage in a conductor.

Resistance

Increases with temperature in a conductor.

Short Circuit

Accidental low-resistance connection causing excess current flow.

Electrical Safety

Precautions to prevent electric shock or hazards when working with electricity.

Fuses

Safety devices that melt when current is too high, breaking the circuit.

Circuit Breakers

Safety devices that trip to break the circuit when current is too high.

Diodes

Semiconductor devices allowing current flow in one direction only.

Three-Prong Plug

Electrical plug with grounding connection for safety.

Investigating Ohm's Law

Activity to understand the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.

Charging by Contact

Transferring charge to an object by touching it with a charged object.

Conduction

Movement of electric charge through a material.

Conductivity

Measure of a material's ability to conduct electric current.

Conductor

Material that allows the flow of electrical current.

Coulomb (C)

Unit of electric charge in the International System of Units.

Electric Charge

Fundamental property of matter that can be positive or negative.

Electrostatics

Study of stationary electric charges or fields.

Induction

Production of electromotive force when a conductor is exposed to a varying magnetic field.

Law of Attraction

Opposite charges attract each other.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

Positively charged core of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses direction periodically.

Ammeter

Instrument for measuring electric current.

Ampere (A)

Unit of electric current.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current flowing in one direction only.

Dry Cell

Battery with low-moisture paste electrolyte.

Electric Current (I)

Flow of electric charge in a conductor.

Electrolyte

Substance containing free ions that make it electrically conductive.

Fuse

Safety device that breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level.

Ohm (Ω)

Unit of electrical resistance.

Potential Difference

Difference in electric potential between two points.

Potential Energy

Energy held by an object due to its position or other factors.

Resistance (R)

Opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.

Resistor

Component used to resist the flow of electrical current.

Volt (V)

Unit of electric potential and electromotive force.

Voltage (V)

Electric potential difference between two points.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Device that breaks the circuit when it detects a ground fault or current leak.

Electrical Discharge

Release and transmission of electricity in a material or across a gap.

Electron

Subatomic particle with a negative electric charge.

Electroscope

Device that detects the presence and magnitude of electric charge.

Friction

Resistance encountered when one surface moves over another, generating static electricity.

Grounding

Method of protecting against unwanted electrical charge by connecting to the ground.

Insulator

Material that resists the flow of electric current.

Law of Repulsion

Like charges repel each other.

Lightning Rod

Metal rod connected to the ground to protect buildings from lightning strikes.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Static Charge

Stationary electric charge produced by friction.

Battery

Device that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy.

Circuit Diagram

Graphical representation of an electrical circuit.

Current Electricity

Flow of electric charge through a conductor.

Electrical Circuit

Complete path through which electric current can flow.

Electrical Load

Device in a circuit that consumes electrical power.

Electrochemical Cell

Device that generates electrical energy from chemical reactions.

Electrode

Conductor through which electricity enters or leaves a medium.

Fuel Cell

Device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction without combustion.

Ohmmeter

Instrument for measuring electrical resistance.

Parallel Circuit

Circuit where the same voltage is applied to each component.

Series Circuit

Electric circuit where components are arranged end to end.

Switch

Device for making and breaking connections in an electric circuit.

Transistor

Semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals.

Voltmeter

Instrument for measuring electrical potential difference.

Wet Cell

Battery with liquid electrolyte.