#separator:tab
#html:false
#tags column:4
Electric charge	A property of matter that can be positive or negative		phys-electricity-magnetism
Like charges	Repel each other		phys-electricity-magnetism
Opposite charges	Attract each other		phys-electricity-magnetism
Proton charge	Positive		phys-electricity-magnetism
Electron charge	Negative		phys-electricity-magnetism
Neutron charge	None; neutral		phys-electricity-magnetism
Static electricity	Charge that builds up on an object		phys-electricity-magnetism
Example of static electricity	A balloon sticking to your hair after rubbing		phys-electricity-magnetism
Lightning	A huge spark of static electricity in clouds		phys-electricity-magnetism
Current	The flow of electric charge		phys-electricity-magnetism
Voltage	The push that moves charge in a circuit		phys-electricity-magnetism
Resistance	How much a material resists current		phys-electricity-magnetism
Circuit	A complete path for electricity		phys-electricity-magnetism
Open circuit	A circuit with a break, so no current flows		phys-electricity-magnetism
Closed circuit	A complete loop where current flows		phys-electricity-magnetism
Series circuit	Parts connected in one path; if one breaks all stop		phys-electricity-magnetism
Parallel circuit	Parts connected on separate paths; if one breaks others keep working		phys-electricity-magnetism
Switch	A device that opens or closes a circuit		phys-electricity-magnetism
Battery	A source that provides electrical energy from chemical reactions		phys-electricity-magnetism
Cell	One unit of a battery		phys-electricity-magnetism
Wire	A thin strand of metal that carries current		phys-electricity-magnetism
Conductor	A material that lets current flow easily		phys-electricity-magnetism
Insulator	A material that blocks current		phys-electricity-magnetism
Examples of conductors	Copper, silver, aluminum and water with salt		phys-electricity-magnetism
Examples of insulators	Rubber, plastic, glass and wood		phys-electricity-magnetism
Fuse	A safety part that melts and breaks the circuit if the current is too high		phys-electricity-magnetism
Circuit breaker	A switch that shuts off a circuit when it carries too much current		phys-electricity-magnetism
Ground	A path that carries extra current safely into the Earth		phys-electricity-magnetism
Alternating current (AC)	Current that changes direction back and forth; used in homes		phys-electricity-magnetism
Direct current (DC)	Current that flows one way; from batteries		phys-electricity-magnetism
Generator	A device that turns motion into electricity		phys-electricity-magnetism
Transformer	A device that changes the voltage of AC		phys-electricity-magnetism
Resistor	A part that limits the current in a circuit		phys-electricity-magnetism
Capacitor	A part that stores electric charge		phys-electricity-magnetism
Diode	A part that lets current flow one way		phys-electricity-magnetism
Transistor	A tiny switch or amplifier in electronics		phys-electricity-magnetism
Semiconductor	A material, like silicon, that conducts better than an insulator but less than a metal		phys-electricity-magnetism
Magnet	An object that attracts iron and has a north and south pole		phys-electricity-magnetism
Magnetic pole	The end of a magnet where force is strongest		phys-electricity-magnetism
Like poles	Repel		phys-electricity-magnetism
Opposite poles	Attract		phys-electricity-magnetism
Magnetic field	The region around a magnet where its force acts		phys-electricity-magnetism
Magnetic materials	Iron, nickel and cobalt		phys-electricity-magnetism
Compass	Needle magnet that points to Earth's magnetic north		phys-electricity-magnetism
Earth's magnetic field	Produced by moving molten iron in the outer core		phys-electricity-magnetism
Electromagnet	A magnet made by running current through a coil, often around an iron core		phys-electricity-magnetism
Electromagnetic induction	Making current by changing a magnetic field near a wire		phys-electricity-magnetism
Who discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831?	Michael Faraday		phys-electricity-magnetism
Who showed in 1820 that electric current creates a magnetic field?	Hans Christian Oersted		phys-electricity-magnetism
Who flew a kite in a storm in a famous experiment?	Benjamin Franklin		phys-electricity-magnetism
Who invented the practical light bulb in 1879?	Thomas Edison		phys-electricity-magnetism
Who built the first battery around 1800?	Alessandro Volta		phys-electricity-magnetism
Aurora	Glowing lights where charged particles from the Sun hit Earth's atmosphere near the poles		phys-electricity-magnetism
Electric motor	A device that turns electricity into motion		phys-electricity-magnetism
Solenoid	A coil of wire that makes a magnetic field when current flows		phys-electricity-magnetism
Short circuit	An unplanned path with low resistance that can cause too much current		phys-electricity-magnetism
Why should you never put a fork in a socket?	Metal conducts electricity and can cause serious harm		phys-electricity-magnetism
Staying safe in a storm	Go indoors and stay away from windows and water		phys-electricity-magnetism
Why are power lines high up?	To keep the dangerous electricity away from people		phys-electricity-magnetism