Question | Answer |
Atom | The smallest particle of an element that can exist and still retain the properties of that element. |
Battery holder | A manufactured device which holds a battery. |
Battery | A device used for generating electricity through a electrochemical reaction; a battery unit is made from one or more cells. |
Bond | A force which joins atoms or groups of atoms together in a molecule. |
Bulb holder | A manufactured device which holds a bulb. |
Cell | Contains positive and negative electrodes surrounded by an electrolyte. A chemical reaction occurs within the cell which generates electricity (release electrons). One or more cells connected together is called a battery. |
Charge | A given quantity of electricity. |
Circuit breaker | A safety device used to prevent circuits in houses and buildihgs from being overloaded. A circuit breaker can be reset once it is tripped. |
Circuit | A complete path for an electric current. |
Closed circuit | Where the currect flows from the battery through an electrical device providing power, and returning back to the battery. |
Compass | An instrument with a rotating magnetic needle usually used for locating the Magnetic North Pole. |
Conductor | Anything an electrical current can pass through easily. |
Contact points | Places (on bells, bulbs and other electrical devices)where wires are connected to allow for the flow of electricity. |
Control | The switch that allows the flow of electricity. |
Convert | To change. |
Current | A flow of electricity. |
Electrical device | Anything that uses electricity or batteries. |
Electricity | A type of energy in which small particles (called electrons) move through a device. |
Electrode | Conductors through which current can flow. |
Electrolyte | Usually a liquid or paste that allows electrons to move easily through a cell. |
Electron | Part of an atom, a negatively charged particle that is found outside of the nucleus of the atom. |
Energy | The capacity for doing work; may be electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal or nuclear. |
Filament | A very fine wire. |
Friction | Resistance between two surfaces moving against each other. |
Fuse | A safety device used in a circuit to prevent overloading. A thin piece of wire which will burn up if a large electric current goes through is causing an open circuit. A fuse must be replaced when it is blown. |
Insulated wire | Wire surrounded by plastic covering. |
Insulator | Materials that electricity has a hard time flowing through e.g. plastic coating on wires, leather, wood, etc. |
Kilowatts | A unit of electrical power equal to one thousand watts. |
Load | An electrical device. |
Manufactured | Man-made. |
Natural | Found in nature. |
Negative charge | Having more electrons than protons. |
Negative terminal | The point on the battery where electrons leave. |
Neutron | An uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom. |
Nichrome | A type of wire; very resistant to current flow. |
Non-renewable resource | A natural resource that can not be replaced. |
Nucleus | Central part of an atom made of protons and neutrons. |
Open circuit | An incomplete path, electricity can not cross the break in the circuit. |
Parallel circuit | Provides more than one path for electricity to flow. |
Positive charge | A charged body having fewer electrons than protons. |
Positive terminal | The point on the battery where electrons enter. |
Power | A positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom. |
Renewable | Can be replaced. |
Resistance | The opposition of a substance to the passage of electrical current; friction against electrons movingl. |
Resistor | An electrical component which slows electron flow. |
Series circuit | One path (loop) for electricity through all loads. If one bulb or battery is disconnected, the circuit will not work. |
Simple circuit | Consists of a battery (power source), wire (conductor), an electrical device (load), and switch (control) connected together to form a closed circuit. |
Source | The producer of power. |
Switch | A device used to control the flow of electricity. |
Terminal | The place which electricity enters or leaves an electrical component (battery). |
Troubleshoot | Sequential steps to detect and correct flaws to ensure success of a final product. |
Tungsten | A metallic element used in making electric light bulb filament. |
Voltage | A measure of the amount of electrical energy supplied to each charge. |
Wattage | Power expressed in watts. |
Watt | Unit used to measure power. |