• Atom : The smallest particle of an element that can exist and still retain the properties of that element.

• Battery holder : A manufactured device which holds a battery.

• Battery : A device used for generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction; a battery unit is made from one or more cells.

• Bond : A force which joins atoms or groups of atoms together in a molecule.

• Bulb holder : A manufactured device which holds a bulb.

• Cell : Contains positive and negative electrodes surrounded by an electrolyte. A chemical reaction occurs within the cell which generates electricity (releases electrons). One or more cells connected together is called a battery.

• Charge : A given quantity of electricity.

• Circuit : A complete path for an electric current.

• Circuit breaker : A safety device used to prevent circuits in houses and buildings from being overloaded. A circuit breaker can be reset once it is tripped.

• Closed circuit : Where the current flows from the battery through an electrical device providing power, and returning back to the battery.

• Compass : An instrument with a rotating magnetic usually used for locating the Magnetic North Pole.

• Conductor : Anything an electrical current can pass through easily.

• Contact points : Places (on bells, bulbs and other electrical devices) where wires are connected to allow for the flow of electricity.

• Control : The switch that allows the flow of electricity.

• Convert : To change.

• Current : A flow of electricity.

• Electrical device : Anything that uses electricity or batteries.

• Electricity : A type of energy in which small particles (called electrons) move through a device.

• Electrode : Conductors through which current can flow.

• Electrolyte : Usually a liquid or paste that allows electrons to move easily through a cell.

• Electron : Part of an atom; a negatively charged particle that is found outside of the nucleus of the atom.

• Energy : The capacity for doing work; may be electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal or nuclear.

• Filament : A very fine wire.

• Friction : Resistance between two surfaces moving against each other.

• Fuse : A safety device used in a circuit to prevent overloading. A thin piece of wire (located within a devices operating circuit) which will burn up if a larger electric current goes through it than it was designed to carry. A fuse must be replaced when it is "blown".

• Insulated wire : Wire surrounded by plastic covering.

• Insulator : Materials that electricity has a hard time flowing through (e.g. plastic coating on wires, leather, wood, etc.).

• Kilowatts : A unit of electrical power equal to one thousand watts.

• Load : The amount of power output of a device.

• Manufactured : Man-made.

• Natural : Found in nature.

• Negative charge : Having more electrons than protons.

• Negative terminal : The point on the battery where electrons LEAVE.

• Neutron : An uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom.

• Nichrome : A type of wire VERY resistant to current flow.

• Non-renewable resource : A natural resource that can not be replaced.

• Nucleus : Central part of an atom made of protons and neutrons.

• Open circuit : An incomplete path, electricity can not cross the break in the circuit.

• Parallel circuit : Provides more than one path for electricity to flow.

• Positive charge : A charged body having fewer electrons than protons.

• Positive terminal : The point on the battery where electrons ENTER.

• Power : The rate at which work is done - measured in watts.

• Proton : A positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom.

• Renewable : Can be replaced.

• Resistance : The opposition of a substance to the passage of electrical current; friction against electrons moving.

• Resistor : An electrical component which slows electron down.

• Series circuit : One path (loop) for electricity to travel through all loads. If one bulb or battery is disconnected, the circuit will NOT work.

• Simple circuit : Consists of a battery (power source), wire (conductor), an electrical device (load) and switch (control) connected together to form a closed circuit.

• Source : The producer of power.

• Switch : A device used to control the flow of electricity.

• Terminal : The place which electricity enters or leaves an electrical component (battery).

• Troubleshoot : Sequential steps to detect and correct flaws in a device that is not working properly.

• Tungsten : A metallic element used in making electric fight bulb filament.

• Variable : A component of a science activity that can be manipulated or held constant.

• Voltage : A measure of the amount of electrical energy supplied to each charge.

• Wattage : Power expressed in watts.

• Watt : Unit used to measure power.

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