GLOSSARY OF ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

NO
1.

Vocabulary
Alpha particle

Definition
A positively charged particle that consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together. It is emitted by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay and is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. Because of their relatively large mass, alpha particles are the slowest and least penetrating forms of nuclear radiation The ratio of the charge on one of the conductors of a capacitor (there being an equal and opposite charge on the other conductor) to the potential difference between the conductors. 1. A measure of the ability of a substance to conduct electricity; the reciprocal of resistivity 2. In the case of a solution, the electrolytic conductivity is the current density divided by the electric field strength, measured in siemens per metre Symbol Formerly called specific conductance. A circular particle accelerator in which charged subatomic particles generated at a central source are accelerated spirally outward in a plane perpendicular to a fixed magnetic field by an alternating electric field. A cyclotron is capable of generating particle energies between a few million and several tens of millions of electron volts. 1. A nonconductor of electricity, especially a substance with electrical conductivity of less than a millionth (10-6) of a siemens. 2. A substance or medium that can sustain a static electric field within it. 3. A substance or body of very low electrical conductivity; insulator. A quantity that is defined in terms of the rate of change of electric displacement field. An electric current induced in a massive conductor, such as the core of an electromagnet, transformer, etc. by an alternating magnetic field Also called Foucault current The quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons. PADMI RIANI 06091011042 1

2.

Capacitance

3.

Conductivity

4.

Cyclotron

5.

Dielectric

6. 7.

Displacement Current Eddy Current

8.

Electric Charge

GLOSSARY OF ELECTROCITY AND MAGNETISM

9. 10.

Electric Field Electrical Current

11.

Electromotive Force

12.

Electron

13.

Impedance

14.

Inductance

15.

Magnetar

16.

Magnetic Field

17. 18. 19. 20.

Magnetic Intensity Magnetic Moment Magnetic Monopole Neutron

21.

Permittivity

22.

Potential

A field of force surrounding a charged particle within which another charged particle experiences a force. A measure of the amount of electrical charge transferred per unit time. It represents the flow of electrons through a conductive material. The force which produces, or tends to produce, electricity, or an electric current; sometimes used to express the degree of electrification as equivalent to potential, or more properly difference of potential. A fundamental particle, which means it cannot be broken into smaller particles. Electrons may be bound in the "electron cloud" surrounding an atomic nucleus, or may break free from the cloud as a "free electron. A measure of the opposition to the flow of an alternating current equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the resistance and the reactance, expressed in ohms. A measure of the reaction of electrical components (especially coils) to changes in current flow by creating a magnetic field and inducing a voltage. A type of neutron star which possesses an intense magnetic field, often in the range of 10 gigateslas - quadrillions of times more powerful than the magnetic field around the Earth and millions of times more powerful than any man-made magnets. As the magnetic field decays, it emits high intensity electromagnetic radiation in the form of x-rays and gamma rays. A field of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particle, in which another permanent magnet or moving charge experiences a force. The amount of magnetic flux in a unit area perpendicular to the direction of magnetic flow. The torque exerted on a magnet or dipole when it is placed in a magnetic field A hypothetical physics particle with only one magnetic pole. A subatomic particle contained in the atomic nucleus. It has no net electric charge, unlike the proton's positive electric charge. The number of neutrons in an atomic nucleus determines the isotope of that element. 1. A measure of the response of a substance to an electric field, expressed as the ratio of its electric displacement to the applied field strength. 2. A measure of the ability of a material to resist the formation of an electric field within it, equal to the ratio between the electric flux density and the electric field strength generated by an electric charge in the material. The work required to move a unit of positive charge, a magnetic pole, or an amount of mass from a reference point to PADMI RIANI 06091011042 2

GLOSSARY OF ELECTROCITY AND MAGNETISM

23.

Potential Difference

24.

Proton

25.

Resistance

26.

Resistivity

27.

Supercurrent

28

Susceptibility

29. 30.

Terminal Voltage Voltage

a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field; potential energy. The difference in electric potential between two points in an electric field; the work that has to be done in transferring unit positive charge from one point to the other. A positively charge particle that resides within the atomic nucleus. The number of protons in the atomic nucleus is what determines the atomic number of an element, as outlined in the periodic table of the elements. A measure of the degree to which a substance impedes the flow of electric current induced by a voltage. Resistance causes electrical energy to be dissipated as heat A measure of the potential electrical resistance of a conductive material. It is determined experimentally using the equation = RA/l, where R is the measured resistance of some length of the material, A is its cross-sectional area (which must be uniform), and l is its length. The electrical current that flows through a superconductor. The flow of electricity in a supercurrent moves without any resistance, so that the energy of the electrical current does not dissipate. 1. Also called electric susceptibility (of a dielectric) the amount by which the relative permittivity differs from unity. 2. Also called magnetic susceptibility (of a magnetic medium) the amount by which the relative permeability differs from unity. The voltage at the terminals connected to the source of electricity for an electric machine. A representation of the electric potential energy per unit charge. If a unit of electrical charge were placed in a location, the voltage indicates the potential energy of it at that point. In other words, it is a measurement of the energy contained within an electric field, or an electric circuit, at a given point.

References :
Sears,Francis Weston. Electricity and Magnetism. 1946. Department of Physics : Massachusetts Institute of Technology. http://www.thefreedictionary.com

GLOSSARY OF ELECTROCITY AND MAGNETISM

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