Physics Glossary

The grid

All the parts of the power/electric system from power plants to your house

System

A group of interconnected objects that work to do something

Subsystem

A small interconnected unit of the bigger system that has a specific job

Infrastructure

All of the manmade pieces that make up the system

Switch

Turns power on/off by making/breaking connections

Circuit

Closed path electricity flows to from source through wires to device

Ground wire

Extra safety wire in houses not required, is the 3rd prong “green wire” that connects to the ground, providing a safe path for unsafe energy if there is a problem

Grounding

Accidentally connecting to and sending energy into the ground instead of the circuit, is a problem

Undergrounding

Burying power lines undergroundthey are in the ground but not connecting to it, is a solution

Breakers

A group of special switches in a panel that wires usually connect to in a building

Insulation

The wires that connect electrical outlets in a building to the electrical circuit panel have this, being rubber materials around these wires

Ground

Gives extra electrical energy a safe place to transfer to if the energy flowing through the wires increases to unsafe levels

Closed/complete circuits

Two separate, unbroken paths of metal between the energy source and the device

Open/broken/incomplete circuits

Paths are broken accidentally or by using a switch, stopping power from flowing and not being sent out

Substation

Like a power strip for the grid where many paths go out from one source

Short circuit

When accidental connection is made and all electricity flows through it instead of where it should go, stealing all power

Constraint

Reasons that may cause an act to not be possible to execute, a limit that is set

Forecast

The predicted temperatures for a period of time based on data

Supply

Power sent out by power plant

Demand

Power asked for aka devices turned on

Temperature

How hot or cold it is

Conventions

“Rules” for how some thing is done traditionally

Reliable

Based on consistency, efficiency, energy output, availability

Criterion(singular)/criteria(plural)

Specific factor or requirement you consider when making decisions or comparisons

Matter

All physical things (solid/liquid/gas/plasma) you can touch, has mass and takes up space (volume)

Energy

The ability to make something happen (actions) not physical/touchable

Efficiency

How much energy actually become electricity in the grid

Compass

A tool that can move when it is near a magnet and reacts to magnetic fields

Magnetic field

Space around a magnet where energy can transfer and it affects others objects

Magnetic energy

The energy stored and transmitted by magnetic fields

Generators

Turn motion energy into electrical energy using magnets and wire coils

Turbine

Like a reverse fan: Blow on it, it’s what spins the generator