Electricity and Magnetism Definitions Flashcards
Electric Field
A region around a charged object where another charged object experiences force
Coulomb’s Law
The force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of the two charges and indirectly proportional to the distance between them squared
Electric Field Strength
At any point in an electric field, the electric field strength is the force experienced per unit charge of a small positive test charge placed at that point
Electric Potential Energy
The energy stored in a charged particle when work is done due to change of position of a positive test mass inside an electric field
Electron Volt
The amount of energy gained by an electron when it moves through a potential difference of one volt
Resistivity
The resistance between the two opposing faces of a unit cube made of that conductor
Kirchoff’s First Law
The algebraic sum of all the currents entering or leaving a junction point of a d.c. circuit is zero
Kirchoff’s Second Law
In any closed loop of a d.c. circuit, the algebraic sum of all the emf and potential differences are zero
EMF of a Cell
The potential difference across the terminals of a cell in an open circuit condition
Potential difference
The work done by moving a positive charge from one point to another in an electric field without acceleration
Internal Resistance
Resistance inside a battery that causes the battery’s terminal potential difference to be less than its emf
Primary Cell
A cell that cannot be recharged as during it’s lifetime, the chemicals in the cell get used up in a non-reversible reaction
Secondary Cell
A cell that is designed to be recharged as the chemical reaction that produces electrical energy in the cell is reversible. When a reverse electrical current passes through the cell it charges it allowing it to be reused
Capacity of a Cell
How much charge can flow through a cell before it stops working
One Tesla
The strength of a magnetic field where a conductor of length one meter and carrying a current of one ampere experiences a force of one newton when placed at a right angle to the direction of a magnetic field
