Download Electricity Vocabulary

Vocabulary
energy - the ability to do work
electricity – a form of energy available by the flow of electrical charge by stationary or moving electrons that forms
either light or heat
circuit – a path in which electricity flows in a circle
dry cell – another name for a battery. It produces energy by the flow of electrons
terminals – the ends of the dry cell – one side is positive + and the other is negative –
closed circuit – a compete path in which electricity can flow
open circuit – an incomplete path or a break in the path which prevents or stops the flow of electricity.
short circuit - an electric circuit, usually formed accidentally that bypasses the main circuit and produces heat
light bulb – an electric lamp consisting of a glass bulb containing a wire filament that gives off light when heated
Parts of the light bulb:
Filament – the thin wire at the top of the support wires that gets hot and glows producing the light for the
bulb
Support wires – the two larger wires that hold up and support the filament
Glass support – the ball of glass that connects, holds up, and supports the support wires
Metal tip – the very bottom or tip of the light bulb – one support wire is attached to this tip
Wire attachment point – the soldered point on the threaded-base of the bulb – the other support wire is
attached at this point
Ceramic insulator – the black circle around the metal tip – this insulator prevents the electricity from going
into the threaded base and forces the electricity to go up the support wire
globe – the glass covering over the materials inside of the bulb which protects from fire or burns from the
filament
conductor – material, usually but not always made of metal that allows electricity to flow through making a closed
circuit, such as copper, brass, aluminum, graphite, water
insulator – a material not made of metal that prevents electricity from flowing and creates an open circuit, such as
paper, wood, plastic, rubber, glass, cloth
semi-conductor – a mineral substance that allows electric current to flow under certain circumstances – sometimes
these substances will act like conductors and other times they will act like insulators
circuit tester – a tool used to identify if electricity is being produced in a circuit
troubleshooting – a way to find out what is wrong
circuit diagram – a plan using symbols to show how electrical components are connected
series circuit – a circuit that has only one path for electricity to flow
parallel circuit – a circuit that has two or more paths for electricity to flow
switch – a device used for making or breaking a connection in an electric current
Supplemental Vocabulary
current electricity- a flow of electrical charge
static electricity – electricity produced by friction
electrons – a particle of an atom that has a negative charge –
protons – a particle of an atom that has a positive charge +
neutrons – a particle of an atom that has a neutral charge neither positive or negative
volts – measure of electrical force needed to push the amps through a circuit
amperage – the strength of a electrical current (the rate of electrons) measured in amperes
watts – measurement of electric energy produced or the amount of energy used – exp. 60 watts uses less voltage
(push) and less energy that 100 watts
energy sources – ways to create energy, such as solor power, hydropower, wind, fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas),
nuclear power, geothermal,
renewable resource – any natural resource that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time, such as solar,
wind, water
nonrenewable resource – any natural resource that can not be replenished naturally with the passage of time – once
the resource is used it can’t be replaced, such as coal, oil, natural gas
nichrome wire – wire made of an alloy of chromium and nickel used to make the filament of the bulb. This material
has high electrical resistance allowing it to glow and give off considerable heat when a current is passed through it.