Electrical Concepts Flashcards
What are the two kinds of charge?
Positive and negative
Are materials with different (opposite) charges attracted or repelled by each other?
Attracted
Are materials with the same charge repelled or attracted to each other?
Repelled
What is an electric field?
A region of space where charge experiences an electrical force
What is the unit of charge?
Coulomb
What direction does a positive charge face?
The direction of an electric field
What’s direction does a negative charge face?
The opposite direction of the field
What is a conductor?
A material in which charge carriers can move
What are the charge carriers that are usually in solids?
Electrons
What are some good conductors?
Iron, copper, brass, aluminium and graphite (carbon)
What are liquid conductors?
Usually positive and negative ions of dissolved materials
Is water a conductor? If yes, give an example how
Yes. This is why it’s dangerous to when water comes into contact with mains electricity
What is an insulator? Give examples
A material in which charge carriers cannot move. Such as glass, polythene and rubber
Can charge flow when there is no complete path of conductors or a source of electrical energy?
No
What is a complete path of conductors called?
An electrical circuit