Electricity and Electrical Circuits

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of electricity, circuit types, and measurement units based on the lecture notes.

Electricity

A form of energy that can be easily changed to other forms.

Electric current

The rate of flow of electric charges in a circuit.

Electric circuit

The path along which the electric current moves.

Ampere (A)

The SI unit used to measure electric current, where $1\,A = 1000\,mA$.

Milliamperes (mA)

A smaller unit of current where $1\,mA = 0.001\,A$.

Ammeter

An instrument used for measuring electric currents that must be connected in series in the circuit.

Open circuits

Incomplete circuits that can be caused by a missing connecting wire or the lack of a source of electrical energy.

Series circuits

Circuits where components are connected end to end to make a simple loop; if one bulb blows, it breaks the whole circuit and all bulbs go out.

Cell

An object that stores chemical energy and transfers it to electrical energy when a circuit is connected.

Battery

The term used when two or more cells are connected together.

Voltage

A measure of how much energy the electrons receive as an electric cell pushes them round the circuit.

Electromotive Force (E.M.F)

The amount of energy supplied by the electric source to each unit of electric charge.

Car battery voltage

$$12\,V$$

Dry cell voltage

$1.5\,V$ or $9\,V$

Parallel circuit

A circuit where components are connected side by side, giving the current a choice of routes so that if one bulb blows, the others stay alight.

Flashcard #1Term: Static Electricity

Definition: The accumulation of an electrical charge on the surface of an object, caused by the imbalance of positive and negative charges.

Flashcard #2Term: Induction

Definition: The process by which an electrically charged object can induce a charge in another object without direct contact.

Flashcard #3Term: Triboelectric Effect

Definition: The phenomenon where certain materials become electrically charged after they come into frictional contact with a different material.

Flashcard #4Term: Excess Charge

Definition: An accumulation of extra electrons on an object, resulting in a net negative charge.

Flashcard #5Term: Deficit Charge

Definition: A shortage of electrons on an object, leading to a net positive charge.

Flashcard #6Term: Friction

Definition: The force that occurs when two surfaces rub against each other, often causing a transfer of electrons and generating static electricity.

Flashcard #7Term: Static Buildup

Definition: The accumulation of static electricity on an object or person, often due to friction with another material.

Flashcard #8Term: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Definition: The sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects, which can occur when the charge difference is high enough.

Flashcard #9Term: Contact Charging

Definition: The transfer of charge between two objects when they touch each other.

Flashcard #10Term: Insulators

Definition: Materials that do not allow electric charges to move freely, often contributing to the buildup of static electricity.