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Electric circuit
A closed path along which electrons that are powered by an energy source can flow.
e.g: A light bulb is a component that is powered by an electric circuit.
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Voltaic cell
A source of energy that generates electric current by chemical reactions involving two different metals or metal compounds separated by a solution that is a conductor.
e.g: A light bulb
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Battery
A connection of two or more cells.
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Electrode
One of two metal terminals in a cell or battery.
e.g: positive terminal, negative terminal
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Electrolyte
A solution or paste that conducts charge.
e.g: moist paste in a cell (battery)
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Dry cell
A cell that contains an electrolyte that is a paste.
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Wet cell
A cell that contains a liquid electrolyte.
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Primary cell
A cell that can only be used once.
e.g: a AA battery
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Secondary cell
A cell that can be recharged.
e.g: a cell phone
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Fuel cell
A cell that generates electricity through the chemical reactions of fuel that is stored outside the cell.
e.g: a fuel cell car
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Solar cell
A cell that converts sunlight into electrical energy.
e.g: a solar panel
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Terminal
Location on a cell that must be connected to other components to form a circuit.
e.g: a positive terminal and a negative terminal
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Switch
A control device that can complete or break the circuit it is connected to.
e.g: a light switch
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Open circuit
A circuit that contains a gap or break.
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Electric current
The rate of movement of electric charge
e.g: Amperes
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Coulomb (C)
The quantity of charge equal to the charge of 6.25x10^18.
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Ampere (A)
The unit of electric current, equivalent to one coulomb per second.
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Electrical resistance
The property of a substance that hinders electric current and converts electrical energy to other forms of energy.
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Resistor
a device used in an electric circuit to decrease the current through a component by a specific amount.
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Load
A resistor or any other device that transforms electrical energy into heat, motion, sound, or light.
e.g: a microwave
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Potential difference
(voltage) The difference between the electric potential energy per unit of charge at two points in a circuit.
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Volt
The unit for potential difference, equivalent to one joule (J) per coulomb (C).
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Circuit diagram
A diagram that uses standard symbols to represent the components in an electric circuit and their connections.
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Series circuit
A circuit in which there is only one path along which electrons can flow.
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Parallel circuit
A circuit in which there is more than one path for electrons to flow.
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Ohm’s law
The ratio of potential difference to current is a constant called resistance.
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Ohm (Ω)
The unit for resistance, equivalent to one volt per ampere (V/A)
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Superconductor
A material through which electric charge can flow with no resistance.
e.g: aluminum
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Non-ohmic
Not following Ohm’s law.
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