electric circuit
a closed path along which electrons that are powered by an energy source can flow
voltaic cell
a source of energy that generates an electric current by chemical reactions involving two different metal or metal compound seperated by a solution that is a conductor
battery
a connection of 2 or more cells
electrode
one of two metal terminals in a cell or battery
electrolyte
a solution or paste that conducts charge
dry cell
a cell that contains an electrolyte that is a paste
wet cell
a cell that contains liquid electrolyte
primary cell
a cell that can be used only once
secondary cell
a cell that can be recharged
fuel cell
a cell that generates electricity through the chemical reactions of fuel that is stored outside the cell
solar cell
a cell that converts sunlight into electrical energy
load
a resistor or any other device that transforms electrical energy into heat, sound or light
terminal
location on a cell that must be connected to other components to form a circuit
switch
a control device that can completely or break the circuit to which it is connected
open circuit
a circuit that contains a gap or break
electric current
the rate of movement of electric charge
coulomb
the quality of charge that is equal to the charge of 6.25x10^18
ampere
the unit of electric current, equivalent to one coulomb per second
electrical resistance
the property of a substance that hinders electrical current and converts electrical energy to other forms of energy
resistor
a device used in an electric circuit to decrease the current through a component by a specific amount
potential difference
(voltage) the difference between the electric potential energy per unit of charge at two points in a circuit
volt
the unit potential difference, equivalent to one joule (j) per coulomb (c)
circuit diagram
a diagram that uses standard symbols to represent the components in an electric city and their connections
series circuit
a circuit in which there is only one path along which electrons can flow
