Science 6 chapter 8, Static and Current Electricity only

switch

A conductor that can be moved to either bridge (closed) or not bridge (open) the gap in a circuit.

circuit

A continuous unbroken path through which electricity can flow (closed necklace).

electric cell

A device invented to produce an electrical current using two different metals and an electrolyte solution (contains charged particles, electrons); used in batteries.

electrolyte

A liquid or paste substance that conducts electricity (in a battery).

conductor

A material that allows electricity to flow through it easily; ex. metals that hold their electrons loosely.

resistor

A material that reduces the flow of electrons, thus slowing the flow of electricity; often produces light/heat; examples--used in toasters and lights.

fuse

A safety device with a thin metal strip that will melt if too much current passes through a circuit.

Describe the difference between parallel and series circuits.

A series circuit has only one path for the flow of electricity. A parallel circuit has multiple paths for the flow of electricity.

static electricity

A temporary buildup of electrical charges on the surface of an object; may be quickly discharged by the attraction of positively-charged and negatively-charged objects.

closed circuit

An electric circuit through which current can flow in an uninterrupted path.

open circuit

An electrical circuit that is not complete so no current will flow through it (like a necklace unhooked).

battery

Chemical reactions in an electric cell (may be more than one connected) between two metals and an electrolyte producing electrons which move from the negative end along a wire to the positve end to complete the circuit and produce an electrical current.

parallel circuit

Has multiple paths for electricity to flow through (like necklaces with separate rings).

insulator

Material that does not allow electricity to flow through it; examples include plastic and rubber.

lightning

Natural static electricity; A sudden spark, or energy discharge, caused when electrical charges jump between parts of a cloud, between nearby clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

electron

Negatively charged particle in each atom; located in the space surrounding the nucleus in shells/streets; gaining extra of these produces a negative charge.

series circuit

Only one path or one circuit for electricity to travel (like a necklace with a single ring).

Describe the differences between static electricity and current electricity.

Static electricity happens when electrical charges build up on the surface of an object. current electricity occurs when a circuit and a power source allow electrons to move.

current electricity

The continuous flow of electrons requiring a complete circuit and a power source; in outlets, what turns on lights, etc.

current

The flow of electrons through a circuit.

watt

The measurement of power or how fast work is done.

volt

The measurement of the amount of electrical push or force in a circuit.

ampere

The unit used to measure how much current flows through a given part of a circuit in one second.

charges

Two types of these exist-positive and negative (In this case, positive has fewer electrons and negative has more electrons).

Explain why wires are covered in plastic.

Uncovered wire connected to a power source would expose anyone who touches it to electrical current. Plastic is an insulator that protects from electrical shock.

short circuit

When electricity takes an unexpected path (usually causes problems, may blow a fuse).

What two things are necessary to make current electricity?

a circuit and a power source (battery, generator)

Give an example of a material that makes a good conductor.

metals as they hold their electrons loosely

Give two examples of materials that make good insulators.

plastic, wood, glass

attract

to pull towards; to pull into oneself; what opposite charges do.

repel

to push away; what the same type of charges do.