Atoms & Charges
What happens when unlike charges interact?
They attract each other
Is electric force a contact or noncontact force?
Noncontact
What is amplitude?
The height of the wave from its rest position to its crest or trough.
Which circuit will light up a light bulb (open or closed)?
Closed
Is a magnetic force a contact or noncontact force?
Noncontact
What are the parts of an atom and their charges?
Protons (Positive), Neutrons (Neutral), Electrons (Negative).
What is an electric field?
A region around a charged particle where a force is exerted on other charges.
What is wavelength?
The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs.
What is the difference between an open and closed circuit?
Open Circuit: Path is broken; current cannot flow. Closed Circuit: Path is complete; current can flow.
What is the strongest part of a magnet?
The poles (North and South).
What determines the strength of electric fields?
The amount of charge and the distance from the charge.
What are conductors and insulators?
Conductors allow electric charges to flow easily (e.g., metals). Insulators do not allow electric charges to flow easily (e.g., rubber, plastic).
What is frequency?
The number of waves passing a point in a given time period (measured in hertz, Hz).
How does a parallel circuit differ from a series circuit?
In a parallel circuit, components are connected across multiple paths, while in a series circuit, components are connected in a single path.
What is a magnetic domain?
A region in a material where the magnetic moments of atoms are aligned.
What causes something to be positively, negatively, or neutrally charged?
Gain or loss of electrons. Positively charged: More protons than electrons. Negatively charged: More electrons than protons. Neutrally charged: Equal number of protons and electrons.
Why are electromagnets useful?
They can be turned on and off and their strength can be adjusted.
What kinds of materials do mechanical waves travel through?
Solids, liquids, and gases.
Explain how electrons move through a circuit.
In a circuit, electrons move from the negative terminal of the power source to the positive terminal.
What is the difference in a permanent versus a temporary magnet?
Permanent Magnet: Maintains its magnetism over time. Temporary Magnet: Only acts as a magnet when within a magnetic field.
How can you increase the strength of an electromagnet?
Increase the number of coils, increase the current, use a ferromagnetic core (like iron).
Compare and contrast a permanent magnet with an electromagnet.
Both produce magnetic fields and can attract/repel ferromagnetic materials. Permanent magnets are always magnetic with fixed strength, while electromagnets are magnetic when current flows, have adjustable strength, and can be turned on/off.
What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
Longer wavelength = Lower frequency.
What does a switch do in a circuit, and how does it control the flow of current?
A switch opens or closes the circuit, stopping or allowing current flow. When open, the current cannot flow; when closed, the current flows through the circuit.
What makes an object magnetic?
Alignment of its magnetic domains.