basic terms
a positively or negatively charged particle
What is an ion
current that always flows in the same direction and may flow in either a positive or a negative direction
What is direct current (DC)
the measure of the number of electrons flowing in a current
What is a coulomb
the shape of an electrical current as displayed on an oscilloscope
What is waveform
reduces the amount of voltage from the power supply
What is a transformer
subatomic particles of matter possessing a negative electrical charge and very small mass
What is an electron
current that periodically changes its polarity or direction of flow
What is alternating current (AC)
indicates the intensity at which electrical current is flowing
What is an ampere
term for the time it takes for a waveform to complete one full cycle
What is period
the ease with which a current flows along a conducting medium
What is conductance
the difference between charged particles at a higher and lower potential
What is electrical potential
another name for direct current or a current in which the direction of current flow remains the same
What is monophasic current or Galvanic current
the measure of the number of times an alternating current (AC) completes a full cycle (positive to negative) per second
What is Hertz
the intensity of the current flow as indicated by the height of the waveform from the baseline
What is amplitude
materials that resist current flow
What is an insulator
the flow of electrons
What is current
another name for alternating current in which the direction of current flow reverses direction
What is biphasic current
a measure of electrical power
What is Watts (Watts = Volts x Amperes)
the ratio of the time a signal is "on" to the total period (one complete cycle) of a waveform, often expressed as a percentage
What is the duty cycle
materials that permit the free movement of electrons
What are conductors
the path of current from a generating source through the various components back to the generating source
What is a circuit
converts AC current to DC current
What is a rectifier
the electrical potential difference or the force resulting from an accumulation at one point in an electrical circut - corresponds with a deficit of electrons at another point in the circuit
What is voltage
indicates the length of time the current is flowing
What is duration or what is pulse width
the opposition to electron flow in a conducting material
What is electrical impedance or resistance