Circuits

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 statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where an electric battery pushes charged particles through a conductor (wire), causing a light bulb to light up.

Front

Electric Current Noun

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[uh-lek-trik kur-uhnt]

Back

Electric Current

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A steady flow of electric charges, such as electrons, through a conductor, which is measured in Amperes (A).

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Example: This image shows that without voltage, electrons in a conductor move randomly. When voltage is applied, the electrons flow in an organized direction, creating an electric current.

Front

Voltage Noun

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[vohl-tij]

Back

Voltage

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The electric potential difference or pressure that pushes an electric current through a circuit, measured in Volts (V).

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Example: This diagram uses a water analogy to explain voltage. The height of the water creates pressure, forcing it to flow, just like voltage is the electrical pressure that pushes current through a circuit.

Front

Electric Circuit Noun

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[uh-lek-trik sur-kit]

Back

Electric Circuit

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A closed loop or complete path through which an electric current can flow from a source and back again.

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Example: This diagram shows a simple electric circuit where a battery provides power, wires create a path, and a switch controls the flow of electricity to a light bulb.

Front

Voltage Source Noun

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[vohl-tij sors]

Back

Voltage Source

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A component, such as a battery, that provides a fixed voltage and is the source of potential energy.

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Example: A voltage source, like this battery (dry cell), provides the electrical energy or 'push' to move charge through a circuit and power a device like a lightbulb.

Front

Conductor Noun

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[kuhn-duhk-ter]

Back

Conductor

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A material, typically a metal wire, that allows electric charges to flow through it with minimal resistance.

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Example: A metal coin completes an electrical circuit, allowing current from the battery to flow and light the bulb, demonstrating the coin is a conductor.

Front

Load Noun

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[lohd]

Back

Load

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A device in a circuit that consumes electrical energy, converting it into other forms like light, heat, or motion.

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Example: In an electrical circuit, the load is the component that uses electrical energy to do work. Here, the lightbulb is the load, converting electricity into light.

Front

Switch Noun

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[swich]

Back

Switch

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A device used to intentionally interrupt or complete the path of current flow by opening or closing a circuit.

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Example: A closed switch completes the circuit, allowing electricity to flow and light the bulb (left). An open switch creates a gap, breaking the circuit and stopping the electricity (right).

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 component, measured in Ohms (Ω).

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Example: This diagram uses a water pipe analogy to show how resistance works. Voltage is the push, current is the flow, and resistance is a narrowing that squeezes and slows the flow.

Front

Resistor Noun

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[ri-zis-ter]

Back

Resistor

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A passive electrical component with a specific electrical resistance, used to control current flow and reduce voltage levels.

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Example: This diagram shows a resistor and labels its colored bands, which are used to determine its resistance value, multiplier, and tolerance.