Electricity and Electric Forces

What are the two main types of electric charge?

Positive charges (protons) and negative charges (electrons).

What happens to an object when it gains electrons?

It becomes negatively charged.

How is a static charge defined?

An unbalanced negative or positive charge.

What is an electric field?

An area around a charged object.

According to Coulomb's law, what do opposite charges do?

Opposite charges attract each other.

What is the unit for current?

Ampere (A).

What is Ohm’s Law?

Voltage equals current times resistance.

What does a conductor do?

Allows electricity to move through easily.

How can charges be transferred?

Through friction, conduction, and induction.

What happens in a series circuit if one bulb goes out?

All the other bulbs will not work.

What type of circuit allows for multiple pathways?

Parallel circuit.

What is the main purpose of a fuse in a circuit?

To melt and break the circuit when too much current flows.

What does GFCI stand for and its purpose?

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter; it protects against shock by opening the circuit when an imbalance is detected.

What is the role of ground wire in electrical systems?

Provides a low resistance path to ground for safety.

What does electric resistance measure?

How easily electric current can flow through a material.

What kind of current flows in one direction?

Direct current (DC).

What is the formula for calculating power?

Power equals voltage times current.

What does it mean if a circuit is open?

It is off, and electricity cannot flow.

What is required to make induced charge permanent?

Adding a ground wire.

What can excessive current lead to in a circuit?

Overload and potentially dangerous conditions like shock or fire.