Magnets & Electricity

Vocabulary

Magnets

Magnet• an object that can push or pick up

materials made of iron, steel, or nickel

Attract• to cause to draw near or adhere by

physical force. Magnetic poles are attracted to their opposites.

N S

N S

Repel• to cause to push apart. The same poles

will repel each other.

N S

NS

Magnetic Pole• the places on the magnet where the

magnetism is the strongest.

N S

Electricity

Electricity

• a form of energy that is produced when electrons move from one place to another place

Electron

Atom

Electricity ->

Electric Current

• the constant flow of electrons

Conductor

• materials that allow electricity to move through them easily

• Examples: foil, metal, water, most liquids, humans (because we are made mostly of water)

Insulator

• Materials that resist the flow of electricity • Examples: rubber, plastic, cardboard

Metal wires

Plastic insulator

Another plasticinsulator

Electric Circuit

• a pathway that electrons flow through (a circle)

Open Circuit

• there is no flow of electrical current. The flow is interrupted.

• Examples: light bulb is out, light switch is off, battery is dead

Closed circuit

• Electricity flows without interruption • Examples: Light switch is on, battery in the

game