Module 7: Electricity - Electric Charge and Current

electricityIn this module, you investigate the physics that governs electric charge. You will see how static and moving charges can be used for different applications in the real world. Physics explains how charges can be transferred and moved through the circuits in your house that allow all your electrical appliances to function properly.

Pre-Assessment:

Your understanding of charge transfer depends on your understanding of the structure of the atom. What do you already know about atoms? What parts of the atom have charge? Which of these parts are free to move?  How do atoms become ions? 

notes iconMake a list of items that you already know about atoms. Refer back to this list at the end of the module to see what else you learned about this topic.

 

Key Vocabulary:

To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.

Alternating Current (AC)
Electric Potential
Parallel
Ampere (A)
Electric Potential Difference
Polarization of Charge
Battery
Electric Potential Energy
Proton
Charge
Electron
Quantization
Charging by Conduction
Electroscope
Quantum
Charging by Friction
Electrostatic
Resistance (R )
Charging by Induction
Equivalent Resistance
Resistivity (rho)
Circuit
Grounding
Series
Conductor
Insulator
Total Resistance
Coulomb
Junction
Van de Graaff generator
Coulomb Constant
Kirchoff’s Junction Rule
Volt
Coulomb’s Law
Kirchoff’s Loop Rule
Voltage
Direct Current (DC)
Light Bulb
Voltage drop
Dissipated
Ohm (W)
Voltage gain
Electric Field
Ohm’s Law