| A | B |
|---|
| electron | negatively charged particle found in all atoms |
| atoms | basic components that make up all matter |
| proton | positive charge |
| electricity | when electrons are moved from their orbit by externally applied heat or a battery |
| conductor | material that allows electricity to easily flow |
| copper | very good electrical conductor |
| insulator | material that resists the movement of electrons |
| voltage | the electrical pressure that pushes electrons through the electrical circuit |
| chemical | the type of reaction a battery uses to produce energy |
| circuit | term used to describe device connections that form paths along which electricity flows |
| current | the flow of electrons |
| resistance | controls current levels |
| plastic | good insulator |
| direct current | electrons flow in the same direction in a wire |
| alternating current | electrons flow in different directions in a wire; changes in the level and polarity of electrical signals over a period of time |
| series circuit | components are lined up along one path; if the circuit is broken, all components turn off |
| parallel circuit | several branching paths to the components; if the circuit is broken at any one branch, only the components on that branch will turn off |
| ohms | used to measure resistance |
| motor | device that changes electrical energy to mechanical energy that can do work |
| resistor | built from a combination of conductive and insulating elements that are mixed together to create specific resistance values |
| capacitor | stores and releases electrical energy; uses layers of conductive and insulating materials |
| charging | storing energy |
| discharging | releasing energy |
| inductor | an electrical component made by coiling wire; magnetic field is generated as current flows through the coils; used to store & release electricity |
| transistor | can be used to increase the amplitude of voltage signals |
| photoresistor | sensitive to light energy; changes resistance with light level |
| actuator | converts electrical signals into physical phenomenon like sound, light, and movement |
| light-emitting diode | emits light, using very little electrical current |
