PLTW Terms PLTW Vocabulary Set #9

#1 Ampere Standard unit of measure of electric current. It is sometimes written as amp.

#2 Alternating Current (AC) An electric current that reverses direction on a periodic basis. It is widely used to transport power on power lines.

#3 Battery A device that stores and produces electricity from chemical cells.

#4 Direct Current (DC) A type of current that only flows in one direction.

#5 Electric Motor A device that changes electrical energy into mechanical energy.

#6 Electromagnet A temporary magnet created when current flows through wire wrapped in coils around an iron bar.

#7 Lightning Discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another or sometimes from a cloud to the earth.

#8 Static Electricity The build up of an electric charge on the surface of an object. The charge remains in one area rather than flowing to another area

#9 Solar Energy Capturing the energy from the Sun and subsequently converting it into electricity.

#10 Wind Energy Process of creating electricity using the wind, or air flows that occur naturally in the earth’s atmosphere.