Atom
The basic building block of all matter
Electron
part of an atom with a negative charge, found outside the nucleus
Proton
part of an atom with a positive charge, found in the nucleus
Nucleus
The center of an atom
Electric charge
a property that allows an object to exert an electric force on another object without touching it
Electric field
the space around a particle through which an electric charge can exert a force
Static charge
A buildup of electric charge in an object caused by the presence of many particles with the same charge
Induction
The buildup of charge without direct contact
Polarized
When positive and negative charges become separated
Circuit
a path in which electrons from a voltage or current source flow in a closed path
Insulator
A material that does not allow electric charge to pass through it easily
Conductor
A material that allows electric charge to pass through it easily
Conduction
When electrons flow through a material
Open Circuit
an incomplete circuit in which electricity does not flow
Resistor
Slows down the flow of electric charge in a circuit. example: lightbulb
Voltage Source
gives electronic potential for charge to flow through the circuit. example: battery
Volts
Electric potential
Amperes (Amps)
The unit to measure electric current
Ohms
Resistance, controls how much electricity flows
Series circuit
Electric current flows in a single path
Parallel circuit
Electric current follows more than one path, each path is called a branch