Electricity Vocabulary

An atom is

• the smallest unit into which matter can be divided that still has the properties of an element (e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, etc.)

• the smallest thing in the world

• the same as a molecule (e.g. water which is made of hydrogen and oxygen)

• the movement of many electrons

An electron is...

• the centre of an atom

• a negatively-charged subatomic particle that orbits an atom's nucleus

• electricity

• where protons and neutrons are

The nucleus of an atom...

• is negatively charged

• contains electrons

• contains protons and neutrons

• surrounds the atom

Electricity is...

• the co-ordinated movement of many electrons

• the random movement of electrons

• always safe

• a device that gives energy to electrons

Static electricity is...

• the flow of electrons in a circuit

• the random movement of electrons

• a flow of electrons that pulsates back and forth many times per second

• the sudden movement of many electrons from one object to another

Current electricity is...

• the flow of electrons in a circuit

• the random movement of electrons

• a flow of electrons that pulsates back and forth many times per second

• the sudden movement of many electrons from one object to another

A circuit is...

• a path for transmitting electricity that always includes a battery, light bulb and wire

• a path for transmitting electricity that includes a power source, load and conductor

• the flow of electrons

• the flow of electrons in only one direction (e.g. away from a battery)

A power source is...

• a material that allows electrons to easily move through it

• a device that needs current electricity to function (e.g. lights, motors, computers, appliances)

• a device that gives energy to electrons (e.g. a battery or generator)

• a material that resists the flow of electrons

A conductor is...

• a material that resists the flow of electrons

• a material that allows electrons to easily move through it

• a device that needs current electricity to function (e.g. lights, motors, computers, appliances)

• a machine that creates an electrical output

An insulator is...

• a material that resists the flow of electrons

• a material that allows electrons to easily move through it

• a device that needs current electricity to function (e.g. lights, motors, computers, appliances)

• a machine that creates an electrical output