Download P1.5 Electricity Glossary - 10sc1-p1-rev

Definition
alternating current Current whose direction changes many times each second
current A flow of charge
direct current (d.c.) A current that flows in one direction only, such as the current produced by a cell
efficiency The proportion of input energy that is transferred to a useful form
conductor, electrical A sample which allows electricity to pass through it
cost-efficient Something that saves a lot of money compared to how much it costs
ductile Can be stretched into wires
dynamo A small machine that generates electricity using a spinning magnet
electrical energy Energy transferred by electricity
electricity A flow of charged particles that can be used to transfer energy
electromagnet A magnet made using a coil of wire with electricity flowing through it
electromagnetic induction Process that creates a current in a wire when the wire is moved relative to a
magnetic field, or when the magnetic field around it changes
energy transfer Energy being moved from one place to another, possibly with a change in the form of
energy at the same time
fuel cell A device which produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen without burning
generator A machine that makes electricity when It turns.
geothermal energy Energy transferred from hot rocks deep beneath the Earth's surface.
hydroelectricity Electricity generated using the transfer or gravitational potential energy to kinetic
energy by falling water
induced current The current that flows in a wire that is moving relative to a magnetic field.
joule (J) The unit of energy.
kilowatt (kW) A unit for measuring power. 1kW ~ 1000W
kilowatt-hour (kWh) The amount of energy transferred in an hour by a 1 kW appliance.
magnetic field The area around a magnet where it can affect magnetic materials or induce a current.
National Grid The system of wires and transformers that distributes electricity around the country.
non-renewable resources Resources that cannot be replaced once they have been used. Non-renewable
resources will eventually run out.
nuclear power Generating electricity using energy stored in nuclear fuels.
payback time The time it takes to get back in savings the money spent on making a change.
power How quickly something transfers energy.
secondary coil The coil on a transformer where the changed voltage is obtained.
slip rings Rings connected to the coil of a generator to make an electrical connection to a circuit. They
allow the coil to spin without the wires becoming twisted.
solar cells A device that converts light energy into electrical energy.
solar energy Energy from the Sun.
step-down transformer A transformer that reduces the voltage.
step-up transformer A transformer that increases the voltage.
tidal power Generating electricity using the movement of the tides. "
transformer A device consisting of two coils of wire on an iron core which can change the voltage of an
alternating electricity supply.
Unit The unit of measurement for the amount of energy transferred. A Unit is the same as a kilowatthour.
voltage A measure of the amount of energy transferred by a current.
watt (W) The unit for measuring power. 1 watt = 1 joule of energy transferred every second.
wave power Generating electricity using the movement of water waves
wind turbines . A kind of windmill that generates electricity when moving air turns a set of turbine
blades.
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