lesson 12 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What charge do protons have?
Positive charge
What charge do electrons have?
Negative charge
What happens when an atom has the same number of protons and electrons?
It becomes neutral
What is an electrical field?
The field around electrically charged objects
What is electrostatic energy?
Stored energy
What is a capacitor?
A gadget that stores static electricity to be discharged when needed
What is a current?
A stream of electric energy that flows without stopping
What is an insulator?
A protective shield against the flow of electrons
Give two examples of insulators.
- Wood
- Plastic
What is electric current?
Flow of electricity through a conductor
What is a circuit?
Electricity can’t flow unless it’s running through a circuit
What is the electric grid?
The system in which electricity goes from power plants to your house
What components make up the electric grid?
- Power plants
- Power lines
- Transformers
What do power plants do?
Make the electricity
What is the function of power lines?
Carry the power from one state to another
What do transformers do?
Change the amount of power
What is alternating current (AC)?
A type of electricity where the flow of electric charge keeps changing direction
What is a short circuit?
When electricity takes an unexpected shortcut in a circuit
What is a load in an electric circuit?
The object you’re trying to turn on with an electric current
What is a resistor?
A device that slows down the flow of electricity through a circuit
What is a battery?
A combination of different items that conduct electricity
What do volts measure?
Energy in an electric charge
What is the purpose of a switch in a circuit?
To open and close a circuit
What is a series circuit?
A circuit that has more than one resistor
