Electricity and Magnetism

Front

Electric Force Noun

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[i-lek-trik fors]

Back

Electric Force

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The fundamental force of attraction or repulsion that exists between electrically charged particles or objects.

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Example: Arrows show how electric force causes attraction to negative and repulsion from positive charges.

Front

Electric Field Noun

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[i-lek-trik feeld]

Back

Electric Field

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An invisible region surrounding a charged object where its electric force can be felt by other charges.

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Example: Arrows show how the electric field radiates outward from a positive charge and inward toward a negative charge.

Front

Electrical Potential Energy Noun

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[i-lek-trik-uhl puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

Back

Electrical Potential Energy

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The stored energy a charge possesses because of its specific location within an electric field.

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Example: Arrows show how a test charge moves from high to low potential energy in an electric field.

Front

Static Electricity Noun

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[stat-ik i-lek-tris-i-tee]

Back

Static Electricity

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An imbalance of electric charges that accumulates on the surface of an object, remaining stationary.

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Example: Negative charges on a balloon attract positive charges on a wall, showing static electricity.

Front

Conduction Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-shuhn]

Back

Conduction

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The process of transferring electric charge between objects by direct physical contact or touching.

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Example: Heat from a flame transfers through a metal pan by conduction.

Front

Friction (charging by) Noun

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[frik-shuhn]

Back

Friction (charging by)

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A method of charging an object by rubbing it against another, causing a transfer of electrons.

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Example: Rubbing a plastic rod with a cloth transfers electrons, charging the rod positively and the cloth negatively.

Front

Induction (charging by) Noun

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[in-duhk-shuhn]

Back

Induction (charging by)

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The redistribution of electric charge within an object, caused by the influence of a nearby charge.

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Example: A charged rod near a neutral sphere causes charge redistribution on the sphere.

Front

Polarization Noun

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[poh-ler-uh-zey-shuhn]

Back

Polarization

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The separation of positive and negative charges to opposite sides within an object, creating distinct poles.

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Example: A magnet shows polarization by separating charges into north and south poles, illustrating magnetic field lines.

Front

Static Discharge Noun

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[stat-ik dis-chahrj]

Back

Static Discharge

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The sudden flow of electric charge between two charged objects to neutralize an imbalance.

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Example: A hand touching a doorknob shows static discharge with electric sparks.

Front

Electric Current Noun

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[i-lek-trik kur-uhnt]

Back

Electric Current

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The continuous, directed movement of electric charge through a conductor or circuit.

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Example: The image shows a simple circuit with a battery, switch, wire, and bulb, demonstrating electric current flow.