Electricity Flashcards
define “chemistry”
is the science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of matter and how matter changes under different conditions. There are two branches of chemistry: organic and inorganic.
- organic: the study of substances that contain the element carbon
- inorganic: a branch of chemistry dealing with compounds that do not contain carbon but may contain hydrogen
define matter
any substance that occupies space and has a mass (weight). All matter has physical and chemical properties and exist in the form of solid, liquid, or gas.
define element
is the simplest form of chemical matter. It cannot be broken down into simpler substances without a loss of identity
describe the atom
the particles from which all matter is composed. An atom is the smallest particle of an element that still retains the properties of that element
Atoms consist of the smaller particles; protons, which have a positive electrical charge; neutrons, with a neutral charge; and electrons, with a negative charge.
An atom is formed by a NUCLEUS and a CORTEX.
in a stable/neutral atom the number of protons and electrons are equal & it does not carry an electrical charge
define molecule
formed by joining two or more atoms chemically
e.g., water: 2 hydrogen atoms + 1 oxygen atom = H2O molecule
ion
An atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge. Ions are atoms with either extra electrons or missing electrons.
When an electron becomes displaced from an atom, or added to an atom, the atom will take on an electrical charge
anion
If an atom gains an electron, the number of electrons will then exceed the number of protons – and the atom becomes negatively charged. It is now called a NEGATIVE ION, or ANION.
cation
If an atom loses an electron, the number of protons will exceed the number of electrons and the atom will become positively charged. It is now called a POSITIVE ION or CATION.
define electricity
the movement of particles around an atom that creates pure energy. Electricity is a form of energy that, when in motion, exhibits magnetic, chemical, or thermal effect
what is an electrical current?
the flow of electricity along a conductor or in a complete circuit. All material can be classified as conductors or non-conductors/insulators
define conductor
Any material that easily conducts electricity. This means that electricity will pass through the material easily. Metals are good conductors, and copper is a particularly good conductor
define non-conductor/insulator
a substance that does not conduct electricity. Rubber, silk, wood, glass, and cement are good insulators.
volt
- the unit that measures the pressure that pushes the flow of electrons forward through a conductor.
- The difference in potential that exists between the two extremes of a conductor is called the VOLTAGE. The unit to measure voltage is the VOLT (V).
- higher voltage indicates more pressure, more force, and more power
Ampere/AMP
- the unit that measures the strength of an electric current (A)
- measure of the rate at which electrons flow through a conductor.
- higher amp rating indicates a greater number of electrons and a stronger unit
milliampere (mA)
- one thousandth part of an ampere (mA)
- Milliampere is the measurement of Amp that you will encounter delivering esthetic services
watt
- how much electric energy is used in one second
e. g., a 40W light bulb uses 40W of energy per second
1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts
ohm
- a unit that measure the resistance of an electric current
* current will not flow through a conductor unless the force (volts) is stronger than the resistance
circuit
the entire path traveled by the current from its generating source, through various conductors )wire, electrode, body) and back to its source
circuit breaker
a switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of an overload.
fuse
Safety device that prevents the overheating of electric wires. It will blow out or melt when the wire becomes too hot from overloading too many appliances or faulty equipment
scale of frequency
Low Frequency: 0 - 300 cycles.
Medium Frequency: 301 - 10,000 cycles.
High frequency: 10,001+ cycles
polarity
indicates the negative or positive pole of an electric current
Electrotherapy always has one negative charged pole and one positively charged pole
positive electrode = anode
negative electrode = cathode
what are the effects of the positive pole (anode)?
- An acidic reaction
- Soothes the nerves
- Closes the pores
- Contracts blood vessels
- Decreases blood supply
- Constricts the follicles
- Releases oxygen
- Hardens and firms the tissues
what are the effects of the negative pole (cathode)?
- Alkaline reaction
- Opens the pores
- Stimulates and irritates the nerves
- Increases blood supply
- Releases hydrogen which reacts with the sodium in the skin causing sodium hydroxide creating soap suds and cleaning the follicles, and softening the sebum.
- Expands blood vessels
- Softens the tissues