Electric and Magnetic Forces

Front

Electricity Noun

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[uh-lek-tris-i-tee]

Back

Electricity

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A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles, either as a static accumulation or a dynamic current.

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Example: A battery provides energy, causing charged particles to flow through a conductor (wire), which powers a light bulb, demonstrating a simple electric circuit.

Front

Magnetism Noun

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[mag-ni-tiz-uhm]

Back

Magnetism

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A physical phenomenon produced by the motion of electric charge, which results in attractive and repulsive forces between objects.

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Example: The South pole (S) of one magnet and the North pole (N) of another are pulled toward each other, showing that opposite poles attract.

Front

Electric Charge Noun

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[uh-lek-trik charj]

Back

Electric Charge

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The fundamental physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field.

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Example: This image shows the two types of electric charge, positive (+) and negative (-), and the direction of the electric force they create.

Front

Charged Particle Noun

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[charjd par-ti-kuhl]

Back

Charged Particle

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A subatomic particle, such as an electron or proton, that possesses a net positive or negative electric charge.

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Example: This diagram shows an atom's charged particles: positive protons in the nucleus and negative electrons orbiting it, which have an electric charge.

Front

Electron Noun

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[uh-lek-tron]

Back

Electron

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A stable, negatively charged subatomic particle that is a fundamental constituent of matter and orbits an atom's nucleus.

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Example: This diagram shows electrons as blue particles orbiting the central nucleus of a sodium atom, arranged in distinct energy shells.

Front

Proton Noun

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[proh-ton]

Back

Proton

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A stable, positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of every atom, contributing to its atomic number.

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Example: This diagram shows a proton (green sphere) as part of an atom's nucleus, which also contains neutrons (blue spheres).

Front

Electric Field Noun

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[uh-lek-trik feeld]

Back

Electric Field

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A region around a charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other charged particles.

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Example: An electric field is an area of force around charged particles. This animation shows field lines moving away from a positive charge toward a negative charge.

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

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[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

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A vector field describing the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, and magnetized materials.

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Example: This diagram shows the invisible magnetic field around a bar magnet, with lines pointing from the North pole to the South pole.

Front

Electric Current Noun

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[uh-lek-trik kur-uhnt]

Back

Electric Current

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A stream of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space.

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Example: When a voltage is applied to a conductor, free electrons stop moving randomly and flow in a single direction, creating an electric current.

Front

Electromagnetism Noun

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[uh-lek-troh-mag-ni-tiz-uhm]

Back

Electromagnetism

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The interaction between electric currents or fields and magnetic fields, representing one of the fundamental forces of nature.

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Example: This diagram shows that running an electric current through a coil of wire creates a magnetic field around it, demonstrating the principle of electromagnetism.