Electric Circuits

open circuit

a circuit or electrical path that is broken or incomplete, and so electricity cannot flow through it

circuit

a closed loop of conductive material that will allow electricity to flow through it

closed circuit

a complete electrical circuit or path through which electricity or current can pass or flow

switch

a device that allows an electrical circuit to be opened or closed

lightbulb

a filament held by two stiff wires and surrounded by a clear glass globe

insulator

a material that does not easily carry or allow the passage or flow of an electric current

conductor

a material through which electrical current can flow

battery

a source of electrical energy that is created by a chemical reaction and pushes electric charges in a circuit

series circuit

a type of circuit where all the electricity flows along the same path

parallel circuit

a type of circuit where electricity can flow through more than one path

filament

a wire or similar part of a light bulb through which electricity flows; it glows from the heat generated by passage of the electrical current

load

an item that uses electricity

diode

conducts electricity in one direction only

electric

having to do with, making, or using electricity

current

the flow of electricity through a conductor

voltage

the force or push by which electricity is pushed through a circuit