Electricity
The attraction or repulsion between electrical charges
Electric force
The continuous flow of electric charges through a material. The amount of charge (how much) that passes through the wire in a unit of time is the rate of electric current is the ampere. The number of amps describes the amount of charge flowing past a given point each second. Named after a historical electricity investigator, Andre Marie Ampere.
Electric current
Energy stored in chemical compounds
Chemical energy
Resistance = voltage / current OR voltage = current X resistance
Ohm's Law
A connection that lets current take the path of least resistance (going against, opposition)
Short circuit
An area around a charged object where the object's force is exerted on other charged objects
Electric field
A complete, unbroken path through that electric charges can flow.
Electric circuit
A process where substances change into new substances with different properties. Think: science experiments!
A chemical reaction
A circuit with ONLY 1 path for the current to take
Series circuit
When charges can flow directly from the circuit into the Earth in the event of a short circuit
Grounded
The build-up of electrical charges on an object. They do NOT move or change flow continuously (think: this is when you have TOO much electrical charge and you get shocked!)
Static electricity
A type of material that charge can flow easily through. Think: wire, metal....
Conductor
A device that changes chemical energy into electrical energy
Electrochemical cell
A device used to measure current
Ammeter
The round prong (point or tip) of a plug which connects any metal pieces of the appliance (device, machine) to the ground wire of the building. *If a short circuit occurs in the appliance, the electric charge will flow directly into the Earth. It protects any person from getting SHOCKED if they touch the appliance
Third prong
The transfer of electrons from 1 uncharged object to another by rubbing together. This is what causes heat!
Friction
In an electrochemical cell, the 2 different metals which are in an electrolyte
Electrode
A circuit that has SEVERAL (many) paths for current to follow.
Parallel circuit
To prevent circuits from overheating and causing a FIRE, ______________ are added to circuits. If the _________ gets too hot, part of it will melt and cause the circuit to "break" or STOP the electric current. Think: older buildings, like Polson!
Fuse
The transfer of electrons from a charged object to another object by direct contact.
Conduction
The difference in electric potential (possible) energy between 2 places in a circuit. The unit of measure of voltage is the volt (V). Causes a current in a an electric current.
Voltage
A substance that conducts electric current
Electrolyte
A device used to measure voltage
A voltmeter
A device that stops the flow of current in an electric circuit as a safety measure. People have these in their homes (basements).
*If a circuit breaker finds too much current, it automatically "breaks" the circuit. Instead of replacing the fuse, people can pull the circuit breakers back to reconnect or restart the circuit.
Circuit breaker