Electricity

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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 statically as an accumulation or dynamically as a current.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple electric circuit where a battery provides energy, causing charged particles to flow through a conductor (wire) and power a light bulb.

Front

Electron Noun

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[ih-lek-tron]

Back

Electron

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A stable subatomic particle with a negative electric charge, found in all atoms and acting as a primary carrier of electricity.

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Example: This diagram shows an electron as a small particle that orbits the central nucleus of an atom within specific energy levels called electron shells.

Front

Proton Noun

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[proh-ton]

Back

Proton

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A stable subatomic particle occurring in all atomic nuclei, with a positive electric charge equal in magnitude to an electron's.

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Example: This diagram shows a proton as a positively charged (+) particle located in the central nucleus of an atom, a key concept for understanding electricity.

Front

Electric Charge Noun

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[ih-lek-trik chahrj]

Back

Electric Charge

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

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Example: This diagram shows that electric charges with the same sign (both positive or both negative) push each other away, while charges with opposite signs attract.

Front

Static Electricity Noun

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

Back

Static Electricity

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An imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material, creating a stationary electric field.

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Example: A balloon with a negative charge sticks to a wall by attracting the wall's positive charges, while two balloons with the same positive charge push away.

Front

Current Electricity Noun

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[kur-uhnt uh-lek-tris-i-tee]

Back

Current Electricity

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A form of electricity characterized by the continuous and ordered flow of electric charges, typically electrons, through a conductor.

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Example: This diagram shows a complete circuit where current electricity flows from a battery, through wires and a switch, to power a light bulb.

Front

Circuit Noun

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[sur-kit]

Back

Circuit

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A complete and closed path around which an electric current can flow, typically including a source of electrical energy.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where a dry cell powers a lightbulb. Electricity flows through the wires in a complete path, called a circuit.

Front

Voltage Noun

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[vohl-tij]

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Voltage

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The electric potential difference between two points, which is the force or 'push' that drives the flow of electric current.

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Example: This image shows that without voltage, electrons in a conductor move randomly. When voltage is applied, it acts as a 'push,' causing electrons to flow in an organized direction.

Front

Current Noun

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[kur-uhnt]

Back

Current

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The rate of flow of electric charge past a point or region, measured in amperes and carried by moving electrons.

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Example: Electric current flows from a power source (battery) in a complete path (circuit), powering a device like a lightbulb.

Front

Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Resistance

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A measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit, which converts electrical energy into thermal energy.

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Example: This diagram uses a water pipe analogy to show resistance as a narrowing that 'squeezes' or opposes the flow of electric current.