Energy in Electric Circuits

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Current Noun

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[kur-uhnt]

Back

Current

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The flow of electric charge, conventionally defined as the direction that positive charges would move in a circuit.

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Example: This diagram shows electric current as the flow of charged particles from a battery, through a conductor (wire), to power a light bulb.

Front

Potential Difference Noun

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[puh-ten-shuhl dif-er-uhns]

Back

Potential Difference

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The difference in electric potential energy per unit of charge between two points in an electric circuit.

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Example: A battery has a potential difference, or voltage, between its positive and negative terminals, which provides the energy to push charges through a circuit.

Front

Voltage Noun

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[vohl-tij]

Back

Voltage

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The electric potential difference between two points that provides the energy to produce an electric current in a circuit.

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Example: This diagram uses a water analogy to show that voltage is like water pressure; the greater the height (voltage), the stronger the push on the water (current).

Front

Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Resistance

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The measure of opposition to the flow of electric current through a material or an electrical device.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit. The lightbulb (R) acts as the resistance, slowing down the flow of electric current (I) from the battery (V).

Front

Resistor Noun

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[ri-zis-ter]

Back

Resistor

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An electrical component specifically designed to introduce a known amount of resistance into a circuit to impede current.

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Example: This diagram shows how the colored bands on a resistor correspond to numbers that are used to calculate its specific resistance value in ohms (Ω).

Front

Ohmic Material Noun

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[oh-mik muh-teer-ee-uhl]

Back

Ohmic Material

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A material with constant resistance that follows Ohm's law, showing a linear relationship between voltage and current.

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Example: This graph shows that for an ohmic material, the electric current (I) increases at a constant rate as the voltage (V) increases, creating a straight line.

Front

Nonohmic Material Noun

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[non-oh-mik muh-teer-ee-uhl]

Back

Nonohmic Material

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A material whose electrical resistance changes with factors such as temperature or voltage, thus not following Ohm's law.

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Example: This graph shows that for a non-ohmic material, the relationship between electric current and voltage is not a straight line, unlike an ohmic material.

Front

Circuit Noun

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[sur-kit]

Back

Circuit

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A complete and closed path around which an electrical current can flow from a voltage source.

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Example: This image shows that without a complete circuit, electrons move randomly. When a voltage source is added to create a circuit, it provides the energy to make electrons flow in an organized path.

Front

Switch Noun

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[swich]

Back

Switch

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An electrical component that can be opened or closed to interrupt or complete the path for current flow.

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Example: This diagram shows a closed switch completing an electrical circuit, which allows electricity to flow from the battery and light up the bulb.

Front

Capacitor Noun

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[kuh-pas-i-ter]

Back

Capacitor

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A passive two-terminal electrical component that stores potential energy in an electric field for later release.

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Example: This diagram shows the basic parts of a capacitor: two metal plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric, with terminals to connect it.