Electrical Principles and Technologies - Concepts 1 & 2

The combined total of kinetic and potential energies of an object or particle.

A type of potential energy; the energy stored in the bonds of molecules.

A type of kinetic energy; the energy of vibrating particles in a material.

A type of potential energy; the energy carried by charged particles.

The energy of motion. Any object or particle that is moving has kinetic energy.

Stored energy. Any object or particle that has energy but is not using it has potential energy.

Joule (J)

The breakdown of glucose; explosives used to demolish large buildings; a battery-operated CD player

Electric heater; a light bulb; the sun; rubbing your hands together

Moving water such as a river; walking and running; a bird; a rolling object

Static electricity - lightning, television, microwave

The movement of photons (waves and light particles).

X-rays; radio waves

- An electric motor is a device that is used to turn something. It converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.
- A generator is a device that produces electricity. It converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
- A thermocouple is a device that produces electricity. It converts thermal energy to electrical energy.
- A cell/battery is a device that produces electricity. It converts chemical energy to electrical energy.

By winding current-carrying wire into a coil and wrapping it around an iron core, you can make an electromagnet. An electromagnet will move to line up with the magnetic field of a nearby permanent magnet. To keep the electromagnet spinning, motors use a commutator (split ring) and brushes. The commutator breaks the connection of the coil and thus the magnetic force. The armature continues to spin because of momentum. The commutator then reconnects!