Electromagnetism

Attraction of Electric Charges

The electrostatic phenomenon where unlike charges pull toward one another, resulting in negative potential energy.

Repulsion of Electric Charges

The electrostatic phenomenon where like charges push away from one another, resulting in positive potential energy.

Positive Electric Charge

One of the two fundamental types of electric charge; it repels other like charges and attracts negative charges.

Negative Electric Charge

One of the two fundamental types of electric charge; it repels other like charges and attracts positive charges.

Charging by Conduction

The process of transferring charge to an object through direct physical contact with an already charged body.

Charging by Friction

The process where two neutral objects rub together, resulting in electron transfer so that one becomes positively charged and the other negatively charged.

Charging by Induction

The method of charging a neutral object without direct physical contact, using the proximity of a nearby charged body.

Electrostatic Charge

An accumulated electric charge on an object resulting from an excess or deficit of electrons.

Conductor

A material that permits electric charges to flow through it easily.

Electrical Conductor

A material containing free electrons that move readily throughout the substance, such as metals.

Electrical Insulator

A material that tightly binds its electrons and obstructs the flow of electric current.

Superconductor

A material whose electrical resistance approaches zero under specific conditions, such as extreme cooling.

Coulomb

The standard SI unit used to measure the quantity of electric charge.

Current

The rate of flow of electric charge through a conducting path.

Current Electricity

The continuous flow of electrons through a conducting medium.

Direct Current (DC)

An electric current that moves continuously in only one direction.

Electron Current

The physical flow of electrons from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, directed opposite to conventional current.

Electric Circuit

A closed loop consisting of a voltage source and a continuous conducting path for charge to circulate.

Simple Circuit

A closed electrical circuit featuring only one pathway for current to travel.

Series Connection

An electrical configuration where components are connected sequentially along a single path so the identical current flows through each.

Electrolyte

An aqueous solution or liquid containing dissolved ions that conducts electric current.

Electric Potential

The difference in electrical potential energy per unit charge between two points in a circuit, measured in volts.

Electrical Potential Energy

The energy stored by a charged particle due to its position relative to other electric charges or within an electric field.

Voltage Drop

The reduction in electric potential across a resistor or circuit component as electrical energy is consumed.

Resistance

A material's opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms ($\Omega$).

Electrical Resistance

The intrinsic physical property of a substance opposing or reducing electric current.

Resistor

A passive circuit component designed to limit current flow, converting electrical energy into heat or light.

Ohm

The SI unit of electrical resistance, equivalent to one volt per ampere ($\text{V/A}$).

Ohm's Law

The physical principle stating that resistance is equal to voltage divided by current ($R = \frac{V}{I}$).

Electric Power

The rate at which electrical energy is transformed or work is performed, expressed as $P = I V = I^2 R = \frac{V^2}{R}$.

Power Dissipated by a Resistor

The rate at which electrical energy is converted into thermal energy within a resistive component, calculated via $P = I V = I^2 R = \frac{V^2}{R}$.

Electric Field

A region of space around charged particles that exerts an electrostatic force on other charges.

Electric Field Lines

Visual vector paths indicating the direction of the force that a positive test charge would experience within an electric field.

Electric Flux

The product of a surface area and the component of the electric field perpendicular to that surface.

Electrical Force

A fundamental physical force resulting from the mutual attraction or repulsion of electric charges.

Electrical Energy

A form of energy resulting from electromagnetic interactions and the positioning or motion of charged particles.

Magnetic Dipole

A magnetic entity having two opposite poles (North and South) that cannot be separated into isolated monopoles.

Magnetic Poles

The localized regions at the ends of a magnet where magnetic attraction and repulsion forces are most concentrated.

Magnetic Force

A non-contact attraction or repulsion force exerted between magnetic poles or moving charged particles.

Magnetic Field Lines

Continuous closed loops mapping the direction and intensity of magnetic influence outside a magnet.

Magnetic Flux

The measurement of the total magnetic field passing through a specified surface area.

Magnetism

One of the fundamental forces of nature, characterized by attractive or repulsive interactions between moving charged particles.

Ferromagnetic Materials

Substances strongly attracted to magnetic fields that can retain permanent magnetization, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel.

Magnetic Reversal

A planetary event in which the polarity of Earth's magnetic field completely inverts.

Solenoid

A cylindrical coil of wire that produces a uniform magnetic field when an electric current passes through it.

Electromagnet

A temporary magnet created by passing electric current through a wire coil, which can be activated and deactivated.

Electromagnetic Force

A fundamental physical interaction that attracts or repels charged or magnetic objects without direct physical contact.

Electromagnetic Induction

The generation of an electromotive force or current by changing the magnetic environment of a conductor or moving a wire loop through a magnetic field.

Electric Generator

A mechanical device that converts mechanical energy into electricity by rotating wire loops within a magnetic field.