Electricity Terms

A form of energy that results from the interaction of charged particles, such as electrons or protons.

An electric charge that tends to stay on the surface of an object, rather than flowing away quickly.

A process in which objects made from different materials rub against each other, producing a net static charge on each object.

A list of materials that have been arranged according to their ability to hold in to electrons.

A material in which electrons cannot move easily from one atom to another.

A material in which electrons can move easily from one atom to another.

A material in which electrons can move fairly easily between atoms.

An object that can supply a large amount of electrons to, or can remove a very large amount of electrons from, a charged object; thus neutralizing the object.

A device for detecting the presence of an electric charge.

Generating a net charge on a neutral object by touching it with a charged object.

Laws that describe how two objects interact with each other when one or both are charged.

A property of the space around a charged object, where the effects of its charge can be felt by other objects.

The movement of electrons in a substance, caused by the electric field of a nearby object that is not in direct contact with the substance.

A positively or negatively charged atom or groups of atoms.

A metal sphere or point that is attached to rhe highest part part of a building and connected to ground.

A type of cleaner that removes unwanted particles and liquid droplets from a flow of gas.

A device that accumulates very large charges.

A small device that detects and measures exposure to radiation.

A closed path along which electrons that are powered by an energy source can flow.

A source of energy that generates an electric current by chemical reactions involving two different metals or metal compounds separated by a conducting solution.

A connection of two or more cells.

One of two metal terminals in a cell or battery.

A solution or paste that conducts charge.

A cell that contains an electrolyte made of paste.

A cell that contains a liquid electrolyte.

A cell that can only be used once.

A cell that can be recharged.

A cell that generates electricity through the chemical reactions of fuel that is stored outside the cell.

A position on a cell that must be connected to other components to form a circuit.

A control device that can complete or break the circuit to which it is connected.

A measure of the number of charged particles that pass by a point in an electric circuit every second.

The quantity of charge that is equal to the charge of 6.25 x 10 to the 18 electrons.

The unit of electric current, equivalent to 1 coulomb per second.

The property of a substance that hinders electric current and converts electrical energy to other forms of energy.

A device used in an electric circuit to decrease the current through a component by a specific amount.

A resistor or any other device that transforms electrical energy into heat, motion, sound or light.

The difference between the electric potential energy per unit of charge at two points in a circuit.

The unit for the potential difference; equivalent to one Joule (J) per coulomb.

A diagram that uses standard symbols to represent the components in an electric circuit and their connections.

A circuit in which there is only one path in which electrons can move along.

A circuit in which there is more then one path along which electrons can flow.

The unit for resistance, equivalent to one volt per ampere (V/A).

A material through which electric charge can flow with no resistance.

Not following Ohm's law.

Current in which charged particles travel through a circuit in only one direction.

A current in which electrons move back and forth in a circuit.

An electrical device that changes the size of the potential difference of an alternating current.

A safety device that is placed in series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets. 

A safety device that is found in older buildings and some appliances; like a circuit breaker, it is placed in series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets. 

The rate at which an appliance uses electrical energy.

A unit of electrical power; 1 kilowatt= 1000 W.

A practical unit of electrical power; 1 kW= 1000 W

The energy that is used by an appliance at a given setting; is determined by multiplying its power rating by the length of time it is used.

The practical unit of electrical energy.

A meter that records the total electrical energy used hour by hour and sends this information to the utility company automatically. 

A system of pricing in which the cost of each kW•h of energy used is different at different times of the day.

The electricity that is consumed by an appliance or device when it is turned off.

The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input; expressed as a percentage.

The continuous minimum demand for electrical power. 

The production of electricity using a source of moving water.

A demand for electricity that is greater than the base load that is met by burning coal and natural gas.

The greatest demand for electricity, which is met by using hyrdoelectrical power and natural gas.

A source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively brief period of time.

A source of energy that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used.

Many large wind turbines at one location.

Energy that is directly converted from the from the energy of the sun into electricity.

The generation of a direct current when certain materials are exposed to light.

Biomass Energy is defined by any organic materials that can be burned and used as a source of fuel.