Electric Circuits

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Electric Circuit Noun

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[i-lek-trik sur-kit]

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Electric Circuit

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A closed path or loop through which an electric charge can flow, forming a complete path for electricity.

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

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Current Noun

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[kur-uhnt]

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Current

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The rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor, which is measured in the standard unit of amperes.

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Example: This diagram 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.

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Ampere Noun

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[am-peer]

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Ampere

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The standard unit of measurement for electric current, representing the rate of flow of electric charge in a circuit.

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Example: This diagram uses a water analogy to show that amperage (current) is the rate of flow, like water moving through a pipe from a higher level.

Front

Voltage Noun

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[vohl-tij]

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Voltage

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The electrical force or pressure that pushes or drives electrons, causing current to flow through an electrical circuit.

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Example: This diagram uses an analogy: just as the height of the water creates pressure that pushes it through the pipe, voltage is the 'electrical pressure' that pushes electric charge through a circuit.

Front

Electromotive Force (EMF) Noun

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[i-lek-troh-moh-tiv fors]

Back

Electromotive Force (EMF)

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The energy provided by a source, such as a battery, that causes current to flow in a circuit.

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Example: Rotating a wire coil in a magnetic field creates an electrical force (EMF), which pushes electricity through the circuit to light up the 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 between two points in a circuit, which is another term for voltage.

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Example: A battery creates a 12V potential difference, giving energy to charges. The charges lose this energy as they pass through the headlight, causing it to light up.

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Volt Noun

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[vohlt]

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Volt

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The standard unit of measurement for voltage or potential difference in an electrical circuit, abbreviated as V.

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Example: This image shows a multimeter, a tool for electric circuits. The 'V' on the dial represents the setting used to measure volts.

Front

Resistance Noun

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[ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Resistance

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The opposition or barrier to the flow of electric current within a circuit, which is measured in ohms (Ω).

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Example: This diagram uses a water pipe analogy to show how resistance (the narrow part of the pipe) slows down the flow of electric current.

Front

Ohm Noun

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[ohm]

Back

Ohm

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The standard unit of measurement for electrical resistance, representing the opposition to current flow, abbreviated as Ω.

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Example: This diagram, the Ohm's Law triangle, is a tool to remember the formula relating voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R).

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Cell Noun

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[sel]

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Cell

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A single electrochemical device that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy to provide voltage for a circuit.

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Example: This cutaway view shows the main parts of an electrochemical cell (a battery), including the positive and negative electrodes separated by an electrolyte.