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Key Terms

Key Terms

Electricity: the movement of electrons from one atom to another along a conductor

Electric current: Flow of electricity along a conductor

Conductor: Any material that conducts electricity

Nonconductor: Also known as insulator; a material that does not transmit electricity.

Types of Currents

Direct current: Abbreviated DC; constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction only and is produced by chemical means.

Alternating: Abbreviated AC; rapid and interrupted current, flowing first in one direction and then in opposite direction; produced by mechanical means and changes direction 60 times per second

Electrical Measurements

Voltage or Volt: Abbreviated V, unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor.

ampere or AMP: Abbreviation A, Unit that measures the strength of an electric current.

Milliampere: Abbreviation mA; 1/1000 of an ampere

OHM: Abbreviated O; unit that measures the resistance of an electric current

Watt: Abbreviated W; unit that measures how much electric energy is being used in one second

Kilowatt: Abbreviated kw; 1,000 watts
 

Safety devices

Fuse: Prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit

Circuit Breaker: Switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of overload

Grounding: Completes an electric circuit and carries current safely away

Links

Cosmetology and Electricity 

Information on electricity for the cosmetology field

Jeopardy game on Electricity 

Quiz yourself or play as a group. Jeopardy test questions on electricity

Chapter 13 Basics of Electricity 

Slide support on Electricity