Science Electricity Flashcards
Static Electricity
a stationary electric charge.
Electrical Discharge
sudden transfer of electrical charge form one object to another
Charge Seperation
concentration of like charges in specific areas of a neutral object, caused by the approach of a charged object
Van de Graaft Generator
a device that uses thr friction between a rubber belt and a metal sphere to create a build-up of static electricity
Current Electricity
electricity that flows continuously
Electrical Current
the steady flow of charged particles
Ammeter
A device that is used to measure the current
Ampere (A)
the unit of measure for electrical current
Voltage (V)
a measureof how much electrical energy a charged particle carries
Volt
the unit of measure for voltage
Resistance (R)
the measure of how difficult it is for electrons to flow through a substance
Ohm (Ω)
the unit of measure for resistance
Conductor
a material that electric charge can move through easily
Insulator
a substance that strongly resists the flow of electricity
Ciruit
a complete path that charged particles flow through
Load
a device in a circuit that converts electrical energy to another form of energy
Potential Difference
the change in the potential energy of electric charge compared to its potential energy at a reference point
Ammeter
a device used to measure electrical current
Voltmeter
a device used to measures voltage
Ohmmeter
a device used to measure resistance in a circuit
Multimeter
a device used to measure current, voltage, or resistance in a circuit
Short circuit
an unintended, low-resistance, alternate path between two points a circuit
Ground
especially in electrical wiring, this refers to another pathway for electricity to safely get to the ground
Fuses
a thin piece of metal that melts to break and electrical circuit when excess current flow occurs
Circuit Breaker
a special wire that heats up and turns off a switch when exccess current flows through an electrical circuit
Cells
a package of chemicals designed to produce small amounts of electricity from chemical reactions
Electrochemical Cell
a package of chemicals designed to produce small amounts of electricity from chemical reactions
Electrolyte
a liquid or paste that conducts electricity because it contains ions
Electrode
a conductor through which electric current enters or leaves a device or material
Dry Cell
an electrochemical cell whose electrolyte is in the form of a liquid the type of cell commonly used portable devices
Wet Cell
an electrochemical cell whose elctrolyte is in the form of a liquid the type of cell commonly used in vehicles
Primary Cell
a cell that produces electricity through chemical reactions and cannot b reversed or reused once all of its potential for chemical reaction has been depleted
Secondary Cells
a rechargeable cell
Battery
a set of electrochemical cells connected together to provide a larger voltage
Electrolysis
the desomposition of a chemical compound by using an electric current
Electroplating
the use of electricity to coat a thin layer of metal onto an object
Semiconductor
a material having a conductivity greater than an insulator but less than a good conductor
Superconductor
a substance with no resistance to electron flow
Resistors
a device having resistance to the passage of electrical current, often used to control current in a circuit
Switch
a device that controls the flow of electrons in a circuit by being open (Stop) closed (go)
Variable Resistor
a resistor whose resistance can be manipulated by adjusting the portion of the resistor that the current travels through
Rheostat
a resistor whose resistance can be manipulated by adjusting the portion of the resistor that the current travels through
Ohm’s Law
the law stating that, as long as the temp. remains constant, then the resistance of a conductor remains constant, and the current is directly proportional to the voltage applied.
Schematic
a diagram using symbols to show the components and connections in a circuit
Power Source
provides energy to the circuit
Conductor
provides a path for the current to flow
Switch
an on/off
Load
a device to convert electrical energy into another form
Series Circuit
a circuit which has one a single pathway for the current so that the same current passes through all components
Parallel Circuit
a circuit in which the current can flow in multiple paths
Energy
the ability to do work
Joule (J)
the unit of measure for energy
Chemical Energy
energy stored in chemical and released when chemicals react
Electrical Energy
the energy of charged particles
Mechanical Energy
energy possessed by an object because of its motion or its potential to move
Thermal Energy
total kinetic energy of all the particles in a substance
Thermalcouple
a device consisting of two wires of different metals joined such that a voltage is produced between the ends in proportion to the difference in temp
Electromagnet
a coil of wire that becomes a magnet when current moves through it
Motor
a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy
Commutator
the split ring in a motor that breaks the flow of electricity momentarily
Brush
the mechanisms that make electrical contact with the moving commutator in a motor
Armature
the rotating shaft and coil in a motor or generator
Direct Current
current that flows in only one direction
Alternating Current
current that flows back and forth 60 times per second
Transformer
a device that changes the voltage of electricity
Electromagnetic Induction
the generation of electric current in a conductor by changing magnetic field
Power
the rate at which a device converts energy
Watt (W)
the unit of measure for power
Kilowatts per hour (kWh)
the commonly used unit of electrical energy, equal to a power consumption of 1000 W per 1 hour
The Law of Conervation of Energy
the fundamental principle that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but only changed from one form into another
Efficiency
the ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input in a device or system
Fossil Fuels
fuel formed from dead plants and animals
Hydro-electric
electricity generated using the flow of water
Turbine
a machine that uses the flow of a fluid to rotate a shaft
Nuclear Fission
the splitting of atoms, which releases large amounts energy
Geothermal Energy
the energy derived from the internal heat of the Earth
Biomass
organic matter used as an energy source
Alternate Energy
other sources of energy
Ex) solar, wind, tides
Fuel Cell
a primary cell that generates electricity directly from a chemical reaction
Nonrenewable
a resource that cannot be replenished
Renewable
a resource that is continually replenished and can be used indefinitely
Fly Ash
fine airborne ash produced by burning of coal or other solid fuels
Sustainability
the use of resources at a rate that can be maintained indefinitely
PIV
Power- on top (W)
Current- Bottom (A)
Voltage- Bottom (V)
EPt
Energy- Top (J) (Ws)
Power- Bottom (W)
Time- Bottom (s)
VIR
Voltage- on top (V)
Current- Bottom (A)
Resistance- Bottom Ohms (Ω)
Efficienticy
Useful Energy over Input of energy times 100.
