a closed path which electrons that are powered by an energy source can flow.
Voltaic cell
a source of energy that generates current by chemical reactions involving two different metals or metal compounds by separated by a conducting solution.
Battery
a connection of two or more cells
Electrode
one of two metal terminals in a cell or battery
Electrolyte
a solution or paste that conducts charge
i.e dry cells have a paste electrolyte
Dry cell
A cell that contains an electrolyte made out of paste
Wet cell
a cell that contains a liquid electrolyte
i.e. car battery
Primary cell
a cell that can only be used once
i.e. AAA battery, AA battery
Secondary cell
A cell that can be recharged
i.e. car batteries, rechargeable batteries
Fuel cell
a cell that generates electricity through chemical reactions that is stored outside the cell
Solar cell
a cell that converts sunlight into electrical energy
Terminal
a position on a cell that must be connected to other components to form a circuit
Switch
a control device that can complete a circuit to which it is connected
Open circuit
a circuit that contains a gap or break
Electric current
A measure of the number of charged particles that pass a point in an electric fieldMeasured by an ammeterUnit is Amperes or Amps
Coulomb (C)
the quantity of charge that is equal to the charge of 6.25 x 10^18
Ampere (A)
It is the unit of electric current
equivalent to 1 coulomb per second
Electrical resistance
The property if a substance that hinders electric current and converts electrical energy to other forms of energy
i.e incandescent light bulbs have a lot of heat out because of resistance.
Resistor
a device used in an electric circuit to decrease the current through a component by a specific amount.
Load
a resistor or any device that transforms electrical energy into heat, motion, sound, or light.
i.e. a light bulb would be a load that transforms electrical energy to light and heat energy.
Potential difference (voltage)
The difference between the electric potential energy per unit of charge at two points on a circuit
Volt
the unit for potential difference equivalent to one joule per coulomb.
Circuit diagram
a diagram that uses standard symbols that represent the components in an electric circuit and their connections
Series circuit
a circuit in which there is only one path along which electrons can flow.
Parallel circuit
a circuit in which there is more that one path along which electrons can flow
Ohm’s law
The ratio of potential difference to current is a constant called resistance.
Ohm (Ω)
the unit for resistance and is equivalent to one volt per ampere (v/a)
Superconductor
a conductor in which electrical charge can flow with no resistance