Electric Circuits Glossary
Unknown vocabulary is often encountered by students as they learn new
concepts in a science unit. For teacher and student understanding, we have
compiled a glossary. It includes a list of important science vocabulary words from
this unit and their definitions. The intent is not that students learn and memorize
these words and their definitions, rather that learners grow in their understanding
of these words and can use them in the context of their new learning.
Scientific Word
Ampere
Battery
Ceramic insulator
Circuit
Circuit diagram
Circuit Tester
Conductor
Complete circuit
Current electricity
Electricity
Dry cell battery
Fahnestock clip
Flashlight
Filament
Definition
A unit used to measure the amount of
electric current
An object that changes chemical
energy into electrical energy
An insulator that keep the electrical
charges flowing along the wires in a
light bulb
Path along which negative charges
flow
A drawing that uses symbols to show
how the parts of an electric circuit are
connected
A device used to indicate a closed path
across two points in a circuit. The path
between the two points tested is
closed, the bulb of the circuit tester will
light.
A material through which an electric
current can pass
A circuit whose path is complete
A type of electricity produced when
negative charges move along a path
A form of energy – supplies electric
current to a house for heating, lighting,
or powering appliances
a battery made up of a zinc case,
chemical paste, with a carbon rod
running down through the middle
Clips used at the end of the battery
holder that holds the wire for a
connection to be made between the
battery and wire
A battery-operated portable light
A fine wire or thread with a high melting
Glass support
Incomplete circuit
Insulator
Metal tip
Nichrome wire
Parallel Circuit
Semiconductor diode
Semiconductor
Series Circuit
Short circuit
Support wires
Switch
Trouble-shooting
Voltage
Wet cell battery
Wire attachment point
Wire
point that becomes hot and produces a
light when an electric current passes
through it in an incandescent bulb.
A glass bubble that supports the wires
in a light bulb
A circuit whose path is not complete
A material through which an electric
current will not pass easily.
Metal disc at the bottom of a light bulb.
Wire made of nickel and chromium
An electric circuit in which the
components are connected so that the
current can follow more than one
closed path
A device that allows electric current to
flow through it in only one way
A substance that can act as a
conductor or an insulator
An electric circuit in which the
components are in a single path so that
the current has only one closed path to
follow
A path of low resistance made between
two points in an electric circuit where
the resistance is normally much higher
Wires that support the filament in a
light bulb
A device used to turn the electrical
current in a circuit on or off
Following a series of steps to find out
what is wrong with an electronic
system
A unit used to measure the electric
potential of a battery
A battery made up of lead, water and
acid
Point on the light bulb where the wire
attaches to the side of the bulb.
A metal strand used to connect
electrical devices in a circuit