| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| open circuit | when there is a gap in the circuit and electricity can not flow |
| closed circuit | when there is not gap and electricity can flow |
| conductor | material that electricity can flow through |
| insulator | material that electricity can not flow through |
| atom | all matter is made up of atoms |
| proton | have a positive charge and live in the nucleus. They do not move. Symbol is a plus sign + |
| electrons | have a negative charge and are in shells outside of the nucleus. They move from atom to atom. Symbol is a minus sign – |
| neutrons | They have a neutral or no charge. They are found in the nucleus and do not move. |
| positive charged atom | When an atom has more protons than electrons it is positively charged. |
| negative charged atom | When an atom has more electrons than protons it is negatively charged. |
| Balanced atom | This is the goal of all atoms. When there are the same number of protons and electrons it is balanced or has a neutral charge. |
