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Stithsonianscience Electricity 2014-15

Terms in this set (25)

Thales
The "first" person to write about static electricity. Noticed "static cling" when rubbed fur and amber.
amber
Hardened tree sap. In Greek is "elektron"--basis for English word "Electricity".
magnetism
This is what early observers confused static electricity with.
positive and negative
These are the two types of charges. All matter is made of these charges, which are parts of atoms.
equal
Which are stronger, positive charges or negative charges.
same of both
Do objects usually contain more positive charges or more negative charges?
Luigi Galvani
Biologist. Did "frog experiment". Thought he created "animal electricity".
Alessandro Volta
Invented battery. Explained "frog experiment".
Two different metals and a liquids with minerals.
Materials are needed to make a battery?
static electricity
Type of electricity where charges jump and stop.
current electricity
Type of electricity where charges flow steadily.
circuit
A complete path for electricity to flow.
battery or generator
An example of an electrical energy source.
conductors
Materials electricity can flow through well.
insulators
Materials electricity cannot flow through well.
lightning rod
Ben Franklin's invention used to prevent buildings from being struck by lightning.
fuses
These safety devices have a low melting point metal in them that melts apart if too much electricity flows.
circuit breakers
Newer homes have these safety devices to protect circuits from overheating. If too much electricity flows, a spring pushes a switch open.
Hans Christian Oersted
This scientist accidentally (with his "compass experiement") discovered that moving electricity creates a magnetic field.
electromagnet
This magnet is created when wire is wrapped around a magnetic core and electricity flows through the wire.
watts
Units used to measure how fast electricity is being used.
electric field
The electric force surrounding charges.
attract
What two opposite charges will do.
repel
What two of the same charges will do.
electrical
Type of energy created by moving charges.
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