Physics

• The energy in a circuit can also be called charges.
• A resistance is a refusal to accept or comply with something.
• ammeter

   

  A piece of equipment that measures how much electricity is flowing around a circuit.
• amp (A)

   

  The unit for measuring current.
• battery

   

  Two or more cells used together.
• cell

   

  A source of electricity with a low ‘energy’ (low voltage). Cells push electrons round a circuit.
• component

  com-po-nent

  Something in a circuit, such as a bulb, switch or motor.
• current

   

  The flow of electricity around a circuit.
• filament

   

  The thin piece of wire inside a light bulb that glows when the bulb is on.
• power pack

   

  A source of electricity with a low voltage, that is safe to use in schools.
• analogy

   

  A model that compares something complicated to something that is easier to understand.
• model

   

  A way of showing or representing something that helps you to think about it or to find out about it.
• physical model

  fi-zi-kal

  A model that you can touch, or a model that you could build.
• abstract model

   

  A model that only exists in your thoughts, or as a computer program.
• charges

   

  Tiny particles that flow around a circuit.
• parallel circuit

   

  A circuit with two or more branches that split apart and join up again.
• series circuit

   

  A circuit in which there is only one loop of wire.
• qualitative

   

  Something that is described in words.
• quantitative

   

  Something that is described in numbers.
• across

   

  When one component (such as a voltmeter) is connected in parallel to another.
• resistance

   

  A way of saying how difficult it is for electricity to flow through something.
• resistor

   

  A component that makes it difficult for electricity to flow – resistors are used to reduce the size of the current in a circuit.
• variable resistor

   

  A resistor whose resistance can be changed.
• voltage

   

  A way of saying how much energy is transferred by electricity.
• voltmeter

   

  A piece of equipment that measures how much energy is being transferred by a current.
• volt (V)

   

  The unit for voltage.
• cable

   

  The wire for something that runs off mains electricity. It has three separate wires inside it.
• cable grip

   

  Part of a plug that holds the cable, and stops the wires being pulled out of the pins.
• circuit breaker

   

  A safety device that switches off the electricity supply if the current is too big.
• earth pin

   

  The metal pin in a plug that the earth wire is connected to.
• earth wire

   

  The green and yellow wire in a cable or plug. It is there for safety.
• fuse

   

  A piece of wire that melts if too much electricity flows through it.
• fuse rating

   

  The largest current a fuse can conduct without melting.
• hazard

   

  Something that could be a danger.
• live pin

   

  The metal pin in a plug that the live wire is connected to.
• live wire

   

  The brown wire in a cable or plug.
• neutral pin

   

  The metal pin in a plug that the neutral wire is connected to.
• neutral wire

   

  The blue wire in a cable or plug.
• ring main

   

  A type of parallel circuit used in house wiring.
• risk

   

  How likely it is that a particular hazard will cause a danger.