Current Electricity Flashcards
What is static electricity?
Static electricity is an imbalance of positive and negative charges resulting in a charged object or material
The resulting object or material can be positive or negative
What is current electricity?
Current electricity is the flow of electrons
This generally occurs through a conductor
Static VS Current electricity
Static discharge is an uncontrolled release of electric charge
Follows an unpredictable path
Occurs for a short time period
Current electricity is the controlled flow of electric charge
Follows a predictable path
Occurs for a long time period
electrons flow through easily through a ___ and poorily through a ____
A : Conductor B: Insulator
In order for electrons to flow through a conductor, there must be a source of ____
electrical energy
In our every day life, this source of electrical energy generally comes in one of two forms:
Batteries (various types)
Wall outlet (to plug in an electronic device)
In order to have electrons flow in a controlled setting for a long period of time, some basic components of a circuit are required:
Electrical source (of energy)
Conductor or conducting wires
Load
Switch
What is a circuit?
A circuit is a continuous path along which electrons can potentially flow
An ________ provides the energy as electrons that flow through the circuit
Examples are batteries and generating stations
electrical source
A ______ is a device that converts electrical energy into other useful forms of energy
Examples are heat and light
load
A ___________________connect all components in a circuit to allow electrons to flow through the circuit
Examples are copper and aluminum wires
conductor or conducting wires
A ______ controls the flow of electrons by opening or closing the path of the electrons
Examples are light switches and power buttons on electrical devices
switch
An _____ creates an open circuit by creating a break in the path through which electrons flow
When a switch is ____, electrons cannot flow through the entire circuit = the circuit is OFF
A: Open switch
B: Open
A ______ creates a closed circuit by closing a break in the path through which electrons flow
When a switch is ____, electrons can flow through the entire circuit = the circuit is ON
A: closed switch
B: closed
An _______ is a portable device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy
electrical cell
Specifically, we use ______ (simply “cell” for short) which generate electrical energy through a chemical reaction
The chemical reaction generally involves two metals or metal compounds separated by a conducting solution or paste
voltaic cells
When two or more cells are connected, we call this a ___
battery
An _____ is either metal end/terminal of a cell or battery
electrode
The ______ is the solution or paste that conducts the charge
electrolyte
A ______ is a cell that contains an electrolyte paste
dry cell
A _____ is a cell that contains a liquid electrolyte
wet cell
A ___________ is a cell that can only be used once
primary cell
A __________ is a cell that can be recharged
secondary cell
_________ contain a continuous source of energy (generally chemical energy)
Energy results from chemical reactions that occur outside of the cell
Fuel cells
