5th Grade Physical Science Electricity and Magnetism Vocabulary

electricity energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor

static electricity electricity produced by friction

electric circuit a complete path through which electricity can flow

open circuit an electrical path that is not complete

closed circuit a complete electrical path

electron A tiny particle with a negative charge

conductor A material through which electric charge can easily flow

insulator A material through which electric charge cannot easily flow

gravitation the force that pulls objects toward each other

friction the force between two objects that are rubbing against each other

magnetism a physical property of some matter that describes its ability to attract substances such as iron

magnet an object that can push and pull on iron and a few other kinds of metal without touching

pole each end of a magnet

attract pull together

repel push apart

electromagnet a temporary magnet created when current flows through wire wrapped in coils around an iron core

bar magnet a magnet in the form of a bar with magnetic poles at each end

terminal a place on a battery where electrons can go in or go out

battery an energy source often used in a circuit

electric current a flow of electric charge

switch a device that can open or close a circuit

magnetic field the area around a magnet where it can push and pull on other magnets

5th Grade Physical Science Electricity and Magnetism Vocabulary