Electric Circuit A continuous pathway that can carry

Electric Circuit • A continuous pathway that can carry an electric current: The lights in your home are on an electric circuit.

Electric Current • A flow of electric charges: Electric current flows through a circuit.

Electric Charge • A basic property of the tiny particles that make up matter; it can be positive or negative: Some particles of matter have electric charge.

Static Electricity • The buildup of electric charges in one place: Static electricity might make your hair stand up.

Electric Field • The area around electric charges in which electric forces can act: Strong static electric charges have large electric fields.

Series Circuit • An electric circuit with only one path that current can follow: If one bulb in a series circuit goes out, the others also go out.

Magnetic Poles • One of the two areas on a magnet where it exerts the strongest force: Every magnet has two magnetic poles.

Electromagnet • A device made up of a current carrying wire coil around an iron core: You can make an electromagnet with a nail, some wire, and a battery.

Kinetic Energy • The energy of motion: When you move, you have kinetic energy.

Electric Motor • A device that converts electricity to motion: Some toys have electric motors.

Generator • A device that converts other forms of energy into electricity: People use portable generators when the power is out.

Insulated • To protect from electricity by covering with rubber or another material that does not carry current: The red, blue, and green plastic insulates these wires.

Parallel Circuit • An electric circuit with two or more paths that current can follow: If one bulb in a parallel circuit goes out, the others stay on

Resistance • The measure of how much a material opposes the flow of electric current: Most metals have low resistance.

Magnetic Field • The space around a magnet in which magnetic forces can act: The metal filings show where the magnetic field is.