Atomic Structure Flashcards
Alternating current (AC)
Current that reverses its direction of flow periodically at regular intervals
Atom
smallest part of an element that contains all the parts of that element
Atomic number
equal the number of. protons in an atom’s nucleus
Attraction
force that causes one object to pull another object to itself
Bidirectional
object that moves in 2 directions
Conductor
device or material that permits current (electrons) to flow
Direct Current (DC)
current that does not change direction of flow
Electron
negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom and is one of 3 principle parts of an atom
Electron orbit
shell in which an electron moves around the nucleus of an atom
Element
smallest component; one part of a group of devices
Insulators
material that is used to isolate two conductive surfaces
Matter
anything that occupies space
Molecules
smallest part of a compound that is made up of individual atoms
Negative
one polarity of a voltage, current or charge
Neutron
particle that resides in the atom’s nucleus and has no charge and is one of 3 principle parts of the atom
Nucleus
centre or middle
Positive
charge of a particle or atom when the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons, or when electrons are lost
Proton
particle found in the atom’s nucleus that is positively charged and is one of the 3 principle parts of an atom
Repulsion
force that causes an object to push another object away from iteslf
Semiconductor
material that contains 4 valence electrons and is used in the production of semi-solid state devices
Unidirectional
moving in one direction
Valence electrons
electrons found in the outer orbit of an atom
Who first discovered electricity and when
The Greeks about 2500 years ago
Where did the word electric derive from
elektrik: to be like amber
States of matter
solid
liquid
gas
plasma