Investigation 2 Core Concepts
Study Guide – Quiz on March 11th (tentative)
Vocabulary
D-Cell: a source of electricity
Battery: refers to more than one cell, but the terms battery and D-Cell are often used interchangeably
Electricity Source: provides energy to a receiver
Circuit: a pathway for the flow of electricity
Components: the parts of the circuit (Examples: D-cells, bulbs, and wires)
Circuit Base: platform that holds many components needed to build a circuit
Fahnstock Clip: metal clip that connects wires in a circuit
Switch: a device used to open and close circuits
Open Circuit: an incomplete circuit through which electricity will not flow
Closed Circuit: a complete circuit through which electricity flows
Schematic Diagram: a drawing to represent a circuit on a piece of paper; Ex. à
Conductor: a substance through which electricity will flow; commonly metal
Insulator: a material that prevents the flow of electricity; commonly plastic, rubber, glass, or air
Core Concepts
*All metals are conductors.
*Examples of common insulators include rubber, plastic, glass, wood, air, and cloth.
*A complete circuit is needed to light up a bulb or run a motor. (You need to be able to identify pictures of correct complete circuits.)
*Schematic diagrams can be used to represent a circuit. (You need to be able to read and draw one.) Schematic circuit diagrams may contain the following components (know their symbols):
Wire D-Cell/battery Light Bulb
Motor Switch
*Batteries/D-Cells are a portable source of electricity. Energy flow can be traced from the negative (-) end of the battery, through the circuit, and into the positive (+) end of the battery.
(Adults: This point may seem counterintuitive. Think of it this way – the flow of electrons (negative charges) are what makes electric current. The electrons leave the negative terminal of the battery and are attracted, through the circuit, to the positive terminal of the battery because opposite charges attract.)
*Many devices we use daily are fueled by electric energy. These devices convert the electric energy into heat, light, and sound. Examples: Hair dryers convert electricity into heat. Flashlights convert electricity into light. Radios convert electricity into sound.
Study Guide – Quiz on March 11th (tentative)
Vocabulary
D-Cell: a source of electricity
Battery: refers to more than one cell, but the terms battery and D-Cell are often used interchangeably
Electricity Source: provides energy to a receiver
Circuit: a pathway for the flow of electricity
Components: the parts of the circuit (Examples: D-cells, bulbs, and wires)
Circuit Base: platform that holds many components needed to build a circuit
Fahnstock Clip: metal clip that connects wires in a circuit
Switch: a device used to open and close circuits
Open Circuit: an incomplete circuit through which electricity will not flow
Closed Circuit: a complete circuit through which electricity flows
Schematic Diagram: a drawing to represent a circuit on a piece of paper; Ex. à
Conductor: a substance through which electricity will flow; commonly metal
Insulator: a material that prevents the flow of electricity; commonly plastic, rubber, glass, or air
Core Concepts
*All metals are conductors.
*Examples of common insulators include rubber, plastic, glass, wood, air, and cloth.
*A complete circuit is needed to light up a bulb or run a motor. (You need to be able to identify pictures of correct complete circuits.)
*Schematic diagrams can be used to represent a circuit. (You need to be able to read and draw one.) Schematic circuit diagrams may contain the following components (know their symbols):
Wire D-Cell/battery Light Bulb
Motor Switch
*Batteries/D-Cells are a portable source of electricity. Energy flow can be traced from the negative (-) end of the battery, through the circuit, and into the positive (+) end of the battery.
(Adults: This point may seem counterintuitive. Think of it this way – the flow of electrons (negative charges) are what makes electric current. The electrons leave the negative terminal of the battery and are attracted, through the circuit, to the positive terminal of the battery because opposite charges attract.)
*Many devices we use daily are fueled by electric energy. These devices convert the electric energy into heat, light, and sound. Examples: Hair dryers convert electricity into heat. Flashlights convert electricity into light. Radios convert electricity into sound.