Electromagnetism and Mechanics: English Vocabulary List

an electrical component designed to limit or control the flow of electric current in a circuit, typically by providing resistance

"A resistor controls electric current."

"The electric circuit uses a resistor to control the amount of current that flows to the sensitive components in the device."

a solid substance that conducts electricity or heat better than insulators, but not as well as most metals

"Silicon is a semiconductor."

"Semiconductors are essential for making computer chips."

a phenomenon where certain materials conduct electricity without resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures

"Superconductivity allows electricity to flow without resistance."

"Superconductivity allows certain materials to conduct electricity with no resistance at extremely low temperatures near absolute zero."

a conductor through which electricity travels to or from an object, such as batteries

"The electrode conducts."

"The battery has a positive electrode and a negative electrode; electrons flow from one to the other to power the device."

a form of electricity generated by friction between two materials, resulting in an imbalance of electric charges on their surfaces

"Static electricity shock."

"Static electricity makes hair stand up on dry days."

(of a battery or device) capable of being supplied with electrical power again

"The battery is rechargeable."

"The rechargeable batteries can be used hundreds of times and they are better for the environment than disposable ones."

a positively charged electrode in an electrical device where oxidation occurs, resulting in the release of electrons

"Electrons leave the anode."

"The anode is the positive electrode in a battery that attracts negatively charged particles."

a negatively charged electrode within an electrical device, from which electrons flow out into the external circuit

"Electrons flow from cathode."

"Reduction occurs at the cathode during electrolysis."

a device that converts the energy of the sun into electricity

"The solar cell produces electricity."

"A perovskite solar cell is a next-generation photovoltaic technology promising high efficiency at a potentially low manufacturing cost compared to traditional silicon cells."

the amount of solar energy received per unit area on Earth's surface

"Solar irradiance measurement."

"Solar irradiance varies throughout the day."

energy transmitted through space or matter in the form of waves or particles

"Sunlight includes radiation."

"Radiation levels were monitored closely after the laboratory alarm sounded."

related to the technology that turns sunlight directly into electricity

"The panel is photovoltaic."

"The photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity and they are used in solar panels to power homes and businesses."

referring to the combined interaction of electric and magnetic fields, often associated with waves or radiation

"The waves are electromagnetic."

"The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays."

an invisible area around a magnetic object where magnetic forces can attract or repel other objects

"Earth's magnetic field."

"The Earth's magnetic field protects us from harmful solar radiation by deflecting charged particles toward the poles."

a long rigid bar that is put under a heavy object in order to move it

"Use the lever."

"The worker used a long metal lever to lift the heavy rock applying force at one end to move the load at the other end."

a point or support on which a lever pivots or rotates in order to lift or move objects

"The fulcrum point."

"The fulcrum is the pivot point of a lever."

the rapid back-and-forth movement of an object

"Feel the vibration."

"The vibration of the phone woke me up."

a rotational force measured in newton-meters or foot-pounds

"The engine produces high torque."

"The mechanic tightened the bolt with a specific amount of torque to ensure it was secure."

a measure of a spring's stiffness, indicating how much force is needed to stretch or compress it

"High spring constant."

"The spring constant determines how stiff a spring is."

a mass used to provide balance to another mass

"Add a counterweight."

"The counterweight balances the elevator system."

having a speed greater than that of sound

"The plane flew supersonic."

"The supersonic jet can travel faster than the speed of sound and it crosses the Atlantic Ocean in just three hours."

the constant speed reached by a falling object when the drag force equals the gravitational force pulling it downward, resulting in no further acceleration

"Reach terminal velocity."

"A skydiver reaches terminal velocity when air resistance equals gravity."

a branch of science and engineering that deals with the mechanical properties of liquids, particularly their behavior in confined spaces and under pressure

"Hydraulics uses liquid pressure."

"Hydraulics is a system that uses an incompressible fluid under pressure to transmit power; in a car's brake system"

an area of technology that is concerned with the study or use of robots

"Robotics is transforming the modern manufacturing industry."

"Robotics is an exciting field of study focused on the design, construction, and operation of robots."

(physics) the universal force of attraction between any pair of objects with mass

"Gravity pulls things down."

"Gravity is the invisible force that keeps our feet on the ground and holds planets in orbit around the sun."

the measure of electric potential difference between two points in a circuit, expressed in volts

"The voltage is high."

"A sudden surge in voltage can damage sensitive electronic equipment."

the complete circle through which an electric current flows, typically consists of the source of electric energy

"The circuit is broken."

"The technician checked the circuit and replaced the damaged component."

to apply an electric charge to a conductor

"They electrify the wire now."

"The new railway line will electrify the route allowing faster and quieter electric trains to operate."

a machine that produces electricity by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy

"The generator stopped working again."

"When the power went out during the hurricane the hospital turned on its emergency backup generator."

(physics) the increase in velocity over time

"The car's acceleration impressed the test driver"

"The race car's acceleration from zero to sixty took less than three seconds."

the study of the design, development, and operation of aircrafts, focusing on principles of aerodynamics, propulsion, and material science

"She studies aviation principles."

"Aviation has greatly advanced in the last century."