Electricity and Magnetism

Front

Electromagnetism Noun

---

[eh-lek-tro-mag-neh-tiz-um]

Back

Electromagnetism

---

A branch of physics studying the interaction between electric and magnetic fields, which are manifestations of a single fundamental force.

---

Example: An electric current flowing through a coiled wire generates a magnetic field, creating an electromagnet.

Front

Electric Charge Noun

---

[eh-lek-trik charj]

Back

Electric Charge

---

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

---

Example: This image shows that electric charges can be positive (+) or negative (-). Opposite charges pull towards each other (attract), while charges that are the same push away from each other (repel).

Front

Static Electricity Noun

---

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

Back

Static Electricity

---

A buildup of electric charges on an object's surface, resulting from an imbalance of electrons that are not in motion.

---

Example: This diagram shows how static electricity builds up in a thundercloud, with positive and negative charges separating into different zones due to atmospheric conditions.

Front

Electric Field Noun

---

[eh-lek-trik feeld]

Back

Electric Field

---

A region around a charged object where its electric force is exerted on other charged objects within the field.

---

Example: This diagram shows how an electric field radiates outward from a positive charge and inward toward a negative charge, representing the direction of force.

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

---

[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

---

The area around a magnet or moving electric charge in which the force of magnetism acts on other objects.

---

Example: A bar magnet creates an invisible magnetic field around it, with field lines showing the direction of the force from the North pole to the South pole.

Front

Ferrous Adjective

---

[fer-us]

Back

Ferrous

---

A term describing metals that contain iron and are therefore attracted to magnets, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel.

---

Example: This image shows how ferrous materials, like these iron filings, are strongly attracted to magnets and align to reveal the magnet's invisible field.

Front

Permanent Magnet Noun

---

[pur-muh-nent mag-net]

Back

Permanent Magnet

---

A magnet that retains its magnetic properties without needing an external field or current to remain magnetized.

---

Example: This diagram shows a permanent bar magnet with its North (N) and South (S) poles, and the magnetic field lines flowing from North to South.

Front

Temporary Magnet Noun

---

[tem-puh-rair-ee mag-net]

Back

Temporary Magnet

---

A material that becomes a magnet only when in the presence of a magnetic field, losing its magnetism when removed.

---

Example: This image shows how to make a temporary magnet by stroking an iron bar with a permanent magnet (single-touch method), temporarily aligning its magnetic domains.

Front

Electric Current Noun

---

[eh-lek-trik kur-ent]

Back

Electric Current

---

The rate of flow of electric charge, which is typically carried by moving electrons in a conductive wire.

---

Example: A battery provides energy to push charged particles through a wire, creating a flow called an electric current that can power devices like a lightbulb.

Front

Resistance Noun

---

[ri-zis-tans]

Back

Resistance

---

A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current through a material or in an electrical circuit.

---

Example: This simple circuit diagram shows a light bulb (R) acting as a resistor, which opposes the flow of electric current (I) from a battery (V).