Electricity Test Flashcards
static electricity
-Static electricity-random, free roaming electrons
-A build up of charges on an object
Ex. lightning, rub a balloon on your hair, shock from doorknob
current electricity
-Electrons that are moving in a direction
-Electrons that flow from atom to atom in one direction
Ex.-things you plug in, the outlet, electric motors
Law of Conservation of Charge
Charges cannot be created nor destroyed, only transferred
Why does electricity flow from negative to positive?
The charges(positive and negative) are attracted to each other
conductors
Allow the flow of electricity
insulators
Stop electricity
Ex. styrofoam
resistors
Allows electricity, but slows it down
Ex. light bulb
Describe how a light bulb circuit works. Use the words: power source, conductor, resistor, electrons, repel and attract.
The power source(battery) gives power through a wire. The electrons are carried to a resistor(lightbulb), which lights the resistor. In order for the resistor to work, the negative and opposite charges have to attract to each other.
What is the difference between a series and a parallel circuit?
In a series circuit(like a strand of lights), there’s only one direction. If a resistor breaks, the whole circuit will not work.
What is the difference between “dirty energy sources” and “clean energy sources”? - give examples of each. What is important to know about the options?
“Dirty energy sources” are resources, like fossil fuels-coal and oil, that are burned. They are bad for the environment. “Clean energy sources, like wind power and sun, help the planet.
What is grounding and why is it important?
Grounding is when all the charges go into the ground. Without it, the charges would go to the next closest thing, like a human.
Know the difference between Edison and Tesla in terms of who wanted DC and who wanted AC/DC. Who won “The War of the Currents”?
Edison-team DC
Tesla-team AC/DC
Tesla wins
circuit
A path that allows electrons to flow
Complete circuit
The electrons can complete the entire pathway
Circuit break
Electrons are not allowed to complete
