Energy Transfer in Electric Circuits

open circuit

a circuit that is broken and electricity cannot flow

closed circuit

a circuit through which electricity is able to flow

circuit

a path through which electricity flows

sources of electrical energy

batteries, solar cells, or generators

series circuit

circuit with 1 path for the electric current to take

parallel circuit

circuit with multiple paths for electricity to take

conducting path

connects all parts in an electric circuit

transformer

device that changes electrical energy into a usable form of energy such as light, heat, or sound

generator

device that changes mechanical energy into electrical energy

Law of Conservation of Energy

energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change from one form to another

turbine

large fan blades that are pushed by moving wind, water, or steam to turn a generator

conductor

material that allows electricity to easily flow through, such as metals

insulator

material that slows or blocks the flow of electricity, such as rubber

switch

opens and closes the circuit to control the flow of electric current

electric current

the flow of electricity through

energy transformation

when energy changes from one form to a different form