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Alternating current:
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An electric current that
reverses directions at regular intervals (typically 60 times a second);
abbreviated "AC." This current found in homes. |
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Ampere, Amps:
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The measurement of the flow of an electric current through
a conductor. |
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Battery:
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A single electric cell, or group of
connected cells, that produces a direct electric current. |
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Blackout:
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The total loss of electric power
supplied by the electric company. |
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Brownout:
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A temporary reduction of voltage supplied
by the electric company. Typically causes lights to dim. |
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Cell:
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A container filled with a chemical substance consisting
of electrodes and electrolytes that produce an electric current by
chemical action. |
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Charge:
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Electricity produced by a surplus
(position) or shortage (negative) of electrons in an object. |
| Circuit: |
A complete or partial path followed by a
flow of electric current. |
| Conductor: |
A substance or material
that allows electrons, or electrical current, to flow through it. |
| Current: |
The flow of electricity through a conductor. |
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Direct current:
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An electric current flowing in only one direction; abbreviated
"DC". |
| Dynamo: |
The first type of large generator
developed for a power plant. |
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Electricity:
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A form of energy from the movement of electrons
from one element to another producing a charge. |
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Electrolysis:
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The production of chemical energy
by passing an electric current through a liquid called an electrolyte. |
| Electromagnet: |
A coil of wire that is wrapped around a
soft iron core that is magnetized when electric current flows through
it. |
| Electromagnetic: |
Objects made magnetic
by an electric current. |
| Electron: |
A negatively charged atom that rotates around
the nucleus of an atom. |
| Energy: |
The power for doing work. |
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Fuel cell: |
A device in which a fuel, such as hydrogen
gas, is combined with oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. |
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Fuse:
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A safety device with a
metal wire or strip that melts when the current gets too strong, cutting
off the flow of the electrical current. |
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Generator: |
A machine for producing electrical current
when rotated by an external driver such as a turbine. |
| Geothermal energy: |
The heat energy that is
stored below the earth's surface. |
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Ground:
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A connection from an electrical circuit
to the earth. |
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Grid:
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The power highways for
electricity, including substations and large power lines. |
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Hydroelectricity: |
Electric energy made by
the conversion of energy produced from running water. |
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Insulator: |
An object or material that does not let
electricity pass through it. |
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Kilowatt (kW): |
A unit for measuring electrical
energy.
1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt |
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Kilowatt Hour (kWh):
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The use of 1,000 watts of electricity for one full hour.
1 kWh = ten 100 watt bulbs all burning at the same time for one
hour.
10 bulbs x 100 watts each x 1 hour = 1,000 watts hours or 1kWh.
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Lightning: |
A static electrical discharge
beween two clouds or between a cloud and the earth accompanied by
a flash of light. |
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Load:
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The electrical device or devices that use
electric power. |
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Magnet: |
An object surrounded by
a magnetic field that has the natural ability to attract iron or steel. |
| Magnetic field: |
A detected force that exists around a magnet
or electrical field. |
| Mechanical energy: |
The energy of motion used
to perform work. |
| Megawatt: |
One million watts, or 1,000 kW. |
| Meter: |
An instrument that records
or regulates the amount of something passing through it, like electricity,
water, or gas. |
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Motor:
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A machine that produces motion or power
for doing work. |
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Nuclear power: |
The energy produced by
splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor. |
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hms:O |
The unit of measurement of the electrical
resistance of a material to the flow of current. |
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Photovoltaic: |
Capable of producing a
voltage when exposed to light or other radiation. |
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Power:
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The force or energy used to do work. |
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Radio: |
The sending or receiving
of messages or effects, like sound, by means of electromagnetic waves
through the air without a connecting wire. |
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Resistance:
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The resistance to flow of electricity through
a material. |
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Socket:
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A hollow opening or cavity
into which something fits, such as an electric light socket. |
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Solar energy:
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Energy produced by the action of the sun's light or
heat. |
| Static electricity: |
An electrical charge that
builds up due to friction between two dissimilar materials. Friction
removes some electrons from one object and deposits them on the other.
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Switch:
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A device for connecting, breaking, or changing
the connections in an electrical circuit. |
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Thermal: |
Of, using, producing,
or caused by heat. |
| Transformer: |
A device that raises or lowers the voltage
or force of AC electricity. |
| Turbine-generator: |
A machine in which the
energy of a moving fluid, such as water or steam, is converted to
mechanical power that drives an electric generator. |
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Volt: |
A unit for measuring the force used to produce
an electric current; the push or force that moves electric current
through a conductor. |
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Watt: |
A unit for measuring electric
power.
1 Kilowatt = 1000 watts.
1 Megawatt = 1,000,000 watts. |
| Wind turbine: |
A machine that captures the energy of the
wind and transfers the motion to an electric generator shaft. |
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