190104a Electrical Theory

What is an element made of?

Only one kind of atom

The smallest particle of any element that can exist is _____________.

An atom

What is a compound made of?

When two or more atoms of different elements combine

What is the smallest component of a compound?

Molecule

What does an atom consist of?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

What is located in the nucleus of an atom?

Protons and neutrons

What type of charge do protons have?

Positive

Can protons be gained/lost?

No, only electrons can be gained/lost

What type of charge does an electron have?

Negative

When the total number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in an atom, this means…

The atom will have no electrical charge

Define ion.

A charged atom

What are the electrons called in the outermost orbit of an atom? What is unique about them?

They are called valence electrons

Usually an atom loses or gains valence electrons, the other rings stay full

Define a conductor

Materials that allow electricity to pass through them

How many valence electrons are in a conductor?

1, 2, or 3

The more _____ a metal releases its outer electrons, the ____ it conducts electricity.

Easily, better

Opposite charges __________, like charges _______.

Attract, repel

How many valence electrons does an insulator have?

5 or more

What is most commonly used as insulators?

Compounds of two or more elements (plastic, rubber)

What is the purpose of an insulator?

To prevent the flow of electrons from one conductor to another

How many valence electrons does a semiconductor have?

4 valence electrons