Science (conductors, insulators, & semiconductors) Flashcards
magnetic field
a set of lines that defines the motion of charged particles near a magnet
electric field
a set of lines that defines the motion of charged particles near each other
Coulomb’s Law
the principle that states that the electric force between two electrically charged objects is directly proportional to the charges of the two objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
right-hand rule
a rule for determining the direction of the force acting on a current-carrying wire placed in a magnetic field
potential difference
the difference between electric potential between two points in an electric field
power
the ratio of the amount of work done per unit of time, or the rate at which energy is transferred or transformed
capacitor
a device used to store electric charge, usually made with two conducting plates separated by an insulator
voltage
a measure of the electrical potential difference between two points
parallel circuit
an electric circuit with multiple paths through which current can flow
Ohm’s Law
the law that states that the electric current in a circuit increases as the voltage increases (directly proportional) and decreases as the resistance in the circuit increases (inversely proportional)
transistor
an electronic component consisting of three terminals, the current through two of the terminals is controlled by the voltage or current applied to the third
series circuit
an electric circuit in which the current follows a single path without branching
current
a measurement of the flow of electric charge passing a certain point per unit time; any flow of liquid or electric charge
conductivity
the ability of a substance to carry an electric current
resistance
a measure of the degree to which a material tries to prevent charge from flowing through it
