Electricity

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Electromagnetic force Noun

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[uh-lek-troh-mag-net-ik fors]

Back

Electromagnetic force

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A fundamental force of nature encompassing electricity and magnetism, which arises from the properties of electric charges.

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Example: This image shows an electromagnet, where an electric current flowing through a coiled wire creates a magnetic field, demonstrating the electromagnetic force in action.

Front

Direct current (DC) Noun

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[di-rekt kur-uhnt]

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Direct current (DC)

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An electric current in which the flow of electric charge is consistently in only one direction.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where a battery causes charged particles to flow in a single, constant direction through a wire to light a bulb.

Front

Alternating current (AC) Noun

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[awl-ter-ney-ting kur-uhnt]

Back

Alternating current (AC)

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An electric current in which the flow of electric charge periodically reverses its direction at regular intervals.

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Example: This diagram shows an AC generator. As the wire coil rotates in the magnetic field, the direction of the induced electric current reverses, creating alternating current.

Front

Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tuhns]

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Resistance

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A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current within an electrical circuit.

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Example: This simple circuit diagram shows a light bulb (R) providing resistance, which opposes the flow of electrical current (I) from the battery (V).

Front

Ohm's law Noun

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[ohmz law]

Back

Ohm's law

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A principle stating that voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the current flowing through it.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple electrical circuit where voltage (V) from a battery pushes current (I) through a resistor (R), illustrating Ohm's law (I=V/R).

Front

Series circuit Noun

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[seer-eez sur-kit]

Back

Series circuit

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An electric circuit where components are arranged end-to-end in a single path for the current to flow.

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Example: In this series circuit, components are connected in a single path. The open switch breaks the path, so electricity cannot flow to the light bulb.

Front

Parallel circuit Noun

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[par-uh-lel sur-kit]

Back

Parallel circuit

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An electric circuit in which components are arranged in separate branches, providing multiple paths for current flow.

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Example: This diagram shows a parallel circuit, where electrical components (resistors) are connected on separate branches, providing multiple paths for the current to flow.

Front

Electric power Noun

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[uh-lek-trik pou-er]

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Electric power

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The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit, calculated as voltage multiplied by current.

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Example: This image shows that electrical energy can be transformed into other forms, such as heat, light, sound, and movement, by common household appliances.

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Analog signal Noun

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[an-uh-lawg sig-nl]

Back

Analog signal

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A continuous electronic signal that varies smoothly over time, representing information through its changing amplitude or frequency.

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Example: This diagram shows an analog signal as a continuous wave that varies smoothly over time, representing information like sound or a dimmer light switch.

Front

Digital signal Noun

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[dij-i-tl sig-nl]

Back

Digital signal

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An electronic signal that encodes information as a sequence of discrete values, typically using a binary pattern.

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Example: This graph shows a digital signal, where information is sent as a series of 'on' (+5V) and 'off' (0V) electrical pulses, representing binary 1s and 0s.