last physics test
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Created by:
maddiearecchi on January 19, 2012
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22 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 charging objects positively and negatively | if an object gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged; if an object loses electrons, it becomes positively charged. |
| three means of charging | conduction- touching a charged object; induction- being near a charged object; friction- objects rubbing together |
| conductors and insulators | conductors- allow charges to pass through easily (metal); insulators- don't allow charges to pass through easily (rubber) |
| law of electrostatics | like charges repel, opposite charges attract |
| electrostatic discharge- spark and corona | an object losing its charge through the air; spark- rapid discharge like lightning or a shock; corona- slow discharge producing a soft blue glow (st. elmo's fire) |
| grounding | a charged object losing its charge to a much object (earth) |
| components of an electric circuit | source of voltage, resistors, wires to carry current |
| how a battery works | chemical reaction takes place producing a potential difference |
| voltage | energy given to the charge by the source |
| current | number of charges moving in the wire |
| resistance | opposition to the flow of charge |
| circuit breakers | devices that shut a parallel circuit off when too much current is drawn to prevent a fire- parallel circuit |
| magnetic substances | iron, nickel, cobalt |
| behavior of magnetic poles | like poles repel, opposite poles attract |
| electromagnets | formed when a wire is coiled around a metal core and then electricity is passed through the coil |
| electric motors | consist of a coil of wire able to rotate with 2 magnets |
| electromagnetic induction | supplies electric current passing a wire through a magnetic field |
| electric generators | consists of a coil wire able to rotate between 2 magnets; an outside force spins the coil and electricity is produced |
| electric power plants | produce electricity on a large scale (generators) |
| AC (alternating current) | the current moves back and fourth in the circuit |
| DC (direct current) | electric current moves in one direction in the circuit (batteries, solar cells, DC generators) |
| transformers | devices that increase/decrease voltage and current |
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