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Current electricity and electrical circuits 1/2

Terms in this set (25)

potential difference
the difference in electrical charges between two points in a circuit (volts)
electric current
the flow of electrical charges
conventional current
Current that flows from the positive side of the battery to the negative side.Not accurate, but traditional thinking.
battery
a device made up of several cells connected together that converts chemical energy to electrical energy
electric circuit
a closed loops or pathway that allows electrical charges to flow
ampere
a flow of electric charge or current equal to one coulomb per second
resistance
a property that determines how much current will flow; more resistance less current
Resistor
a device with a specific resistance; may be made of long, thin wires; graphite; or semiconductors and often is used to control the current in circuits or parents of circuits
voltage
the electrical potential difference or push
parallel connection
The arrangement of electric devices in a circuit where there is more than one current path
series connection
a type of connection in which there is only a single current path
conductor
A material that allows energy (electrons) to pass through very easily.
kilowatt-hour
an energy unit used by electric companies to measure power usage; 1 kWh is equal to 1000 W, delivered continuously for 3600 seconds
circuit diagram
drawing of a circuit
insulator
A material that current cannot pass through easily
short circuit
occurs when a very low resistance circuit is formed, causing a very large current that could easily starta fire
fuse
a short piece of metal that acts as a safety device in an electric circuit by melting and stopping the current from flowing if a dangerously high current passes through the circuit
kinetic energy
Energy associated with motion.
potential energy
Energy that is stored eg chemical,elastic,gravitational
ammeter
a low-resistance device connected in a series circuit that is used to measure the electric current in any branch or part of a circuit
voltmeter
a high resistance device used to measure the voltage drop across any portion or a combination or portions of a circuit and is connected in parallel with the part of the circuit being measured
direct current
uni-directional flow of charge
alternating current
a flow of charges that periodically changes direction
electrical generator
a device that moves a magnet near a wire to create a flow of electrons,mechanical to electrical energy converter
renewable energy
Any source of energy that can be continually produced and is inexhaustible given current conditions eg wind,solar,wave
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