Magnets & Electricity Vocabulary

Magnets

Magnet an object that can push or pick up materials made of iron, steel, or nickel

Attract to cause to draw near or adhere by physical force. Magnetic poles are attracted to their opposites. N S N S

Repel to cause to push apart. The same poles will repel each other. S N N S

Magnetic Pole the places on the magnet where the magnetism is the strongest. N S

Electricity

Electricity a form of energy that is produced when electrons move from one place to another place Electron Electricity -> Atom

Electric Current the constant flow of electrons

Conductor materials that allow electricity to move through them easily Examples: foil, metal, water, most liquids, humans (because we are made mostly of water)

Insulator Materials that resist the flow of electricity Examples: rubber, plastic, cardboard Metal wires Plastic insulator Another plastic insulator

Electric Circuit a pathway that electrons flow through (a circle)

Open Circuit there is no flow of electrical current. The flow is interrupted. Examples: light bulb is out, light switch is off, battery is dead

Closed circuit Electricity flows without interruption Examples: Light switch is on, battery in the game