Science Vocabulary - week 23

Transistors

acts as smart switch, stopping or diverting current

switches

Complete a circuit (Turns it on) or they Open Circuits (Turns it off)!             

variable resistors

gradually slow amperage

capacitors

store electricity for a backup or second voltage source which smooths the output.

multimeter

is a device

used by electricians and

others to measure the

variables of electricity

brown out

a drop in the magnitude of voltage in an electrical power system.  Unlike a blackout, which is a complete loss of power.

Transformer

Power companies can step UP the voltage or step Down the power depending on needs.

GFCI

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt

Outlet is expecting a certain flow of electricity, when it stops abruptly it will interrupt the flow from happening……such as water, pulling cord quickly out of outlet, etc.

DIODE

allows electricity to flow in one direction only

Amplifier

We also need to speed the current sometimes

Current

is how fast electricity is flowing.  It is measured in Amperage

short circuit

When the electricity unsafely finds a lower resistance pathway, usually easier/faster, but unsafely leads back to the voltage source.

grounding wire

Whole house grounded to outside to help prevent 

Electrocution by taking electrical surges and directly outside to the Earth ground.

photovoltaic

pizeoelectric

geothermal