81
Table 2.11 Common terms used in electrical and electronics sciences
Sl.
no. Term
Description
1. Electric charge
Property of matter responsible for electrical phenomena;
it is measured by coulomb; electron has a charge of
“−1.602 × 10
−19 coulomb” while proton has a charge of
“1.602 × 10
−19 coulomb”
2. Coulomb
Coulomb is the SI quantity of electricity transported in 1 s by
a constant current of 1 A
3. Electrical current
Electric current is the rate of flow of electrons, through a
conductor
4. Ampere
Electric current is measured in ampere, which is the flow of
1 coulomb of electric charge (or 6.242 × 10
18 electrons) per
second
5. Electric potential
Potential energy of a unit charge; it is the property of location
within the electric field
6. Volt
Units of electric potential: 1 volt = 1 joule/coulomb
7. Potential difference
The variance in electrical potential amid two points is called
potential difference
8. Electrical conductance
The ease of flow of electric current; it is measured in mhos
9. Electrical resistance
Opposition to the movement of electric current; unit of
measurement of electrical resistance is ohm (Ω)
10. Electric power
Electric power is the work done by an electrical current; it is
measured in Watt
11. Electric circuit
An electric circuit is a route in which electrons from source of
electric current move
12. Electric field
Electric fields are region around an electrically charged object
or particle wherein an electric charge feels the force; strength
of electric field depends on electric potential; unit of electric
field strength is volt per meter (V/m)
13. Magnetic field
The area around an object where magnetic force is felt is
called magnetic field; magnetic fields are formed around
electrical flow and magnets; higher current will generate
stronger magnetic field; magnetic field is measured in tesla
(T)
14. Electromagnetic field
(EMF)
Property of space produced by motion of an electric charge;
while a stationary charge produces only an electric field,
electric current will generate magnetic field also, which
together form electromagnetic field
15. Electric load
Electric load is the part of the circuit that performs work (e.g.,
a television, motor)
16. Direct electric current
(normally termed as direct
current)
Electric current flowing only in one direction
17. Alternating electric current
(normally termed as
alternating current)
Electric current that reverses its direction numerous times in a
time period
(continued)
2.7 Electrical and Electronics
Table 2.11 Common terms used in electrical and electronics sciences
Sl.
no. Term
Description
1. Electric charge
Property of matter responsible for electrical phenomena;
it is measured by coulomb; electron has a charge of
“−1.602 × 10
−19 coulomb” while proton has a charge of
“1.602 × 10
−19 coulomb”
2. Coulomb
Coulomb is the SI quantity of electricity transported in 1 s by
a constant current of 1 A
3. Electrical current
Electric current is the rate of flow of electrons, through a
conductor
4. Ampere
Electric current is measured in ampere, which is the flow of
1 coulomb of electric charge (or 6.242 × 10
18 electrons) per
second
5. Electric potential
Potential energy of a unit charge; it is the property of location
within the electric field
6. Volt
Units of electric potential: 1 volt = 1 joule/coulomb
7. Potential difference
The variance in electrical potential amid two points is called
potential difference
8. Electrical conductance
The ease of flow of electric current; it is measured in mhos
9. Electrical resistance
Opposition to the movement of electric current; unit of
measurement of electrical resistance is ohm (Ω)
10. Electric power
Electric power is the work done by an electrical current; it is
measured in Watt
11. Electric circuit
An electric circuit is a route in which electrons from source of
electric current move
12. Electric field
Electric fields are region around an electrically charged object
or particle wherein an electric charge feels the force; strength
of electric field depends on electric potential; unit of electric
field strength is volt per meter (V/m)
13. Magnetic field
The area around an object where magnetic force is felt is
called magnetic field; magnetic fields are formed around
electrical flow and magnets; higher current will generate
stronger magnetic field; magnetic field is measured in tesla
(T)
14. Electromagnetic field
(EMF)
Property of space produced by motion of an electric charge;
while a stationary charge produces only an electric field,
electric current will generate magnetic field also, which
together form electromagnetic field
15. Electric load
Electric load is the part of the circuit that performs work (e.g.,
a television, motor)
16. Direct electric current
(normally termed as direct
current)
Electric current flowing only in one direction
17. Alternating electric current
(normally termed as
alternating current)
Electric current that reverses its direction numerous times in a
time period
(continued)
2.7 Electrical and Electronics