Question | Answer |
electric field | the electric force that extends from every charged particle |
static electricity | the buildup of charges on an object |
friction | the transfer of electrons from one object to another by rubbing |
conduction | the transfer of electrons from a charged object to another by direct contact |
induction | the movement of electrons to one part of an object by the electric field of another object |
static discharge | the loss of static electricity as electric charges move off an object |
electroscope | an instrument that can detect the presence of electric charges, but cannot determine the type of charge |
electrical potential | the potential energy per unit of electric charge |
potential difference | the difference in electrical potential between two places |
voltage | the unit of measure of potential difference |
voltage source | creates a potential difference in an electric circuit; batteries and generators |
electrical resistence | the opposition to the flow of charges |
voltmeter | a device that measures potential difference or voltage |
ammeter | a device that measures current |
Ohm's Law | a conductor or any other device that has a constant resistance regardless of the voltage |
series circuit | all the parts of the circuit are connected one after another; only one path for electricity to follow |
parallel circuit | different parts of the circuit are on separate branches; more than one path for current to take |
short circuit | a connection that allows current to take an unintended path |
third prong | a round prong of a plug that connects the metal shell of an appliance to the ground wire of a building |
grounded | electrical systems lead charges from a circuit into the ground |
lightning rod | a metal rod mounted on a building in order to protect a building from lightning |
fuse | a device that contains a thin strip of metal that will melt if too much current flows through it |
circuit breaker | a safety device that uses an electromagnet to shut off the circuit when the current gets too high |
conservation of charge | electrons are transferred from one location to another; charges are not created or destroyed |