electro-, electr-, electri-

(Greek > Latin: electric, electricity; from amber, resembling amber, generated from amber which when rubbed vigorously [as by friction], produced the effect of static electricity)

Electronics in our lives consists of numerous tools

Equipment which we use everyday relies on electronics to function including calculators, car controls, cameras, washing machines, medical scanners, mobile telephones, radar systems, computers; as well as many other applications or devices which are listed in this unit.

differential analyzer, electronic differential analyzer
1. A mechanical or electronic analog computer used primarily to solve especially complicated differential equations.
2. A form of analog computer that utilizes interconnected electronic integrators to solve differential equations, an equation expressing a relationship between functions and their derivatives.
disk electrophoresis
An electrophoretic technique (migration of electrically charged particles) which separates proteins by their physical interaction with the supporting medium as well as by electrophoretic mobility.

Proteins migrate through layered gels of differing pore size and/or pH, forming discontinuous and concentrated disks of individual molecules within the gel layers.

dropping mercury electrode, dropping-mercury electrode
An electrode in which a drop of mercury, in the course of its formation, acts as the electrode surface.

It is therefore a fresh surface and of a small area, both advantages in a cathode (terminal or electrode at which electrons enter a system) for polarography or a method for analyzing the composition of a dilute electrolytic solution.

E electroretinogram
An electroretinogram which exhibits excitatory characteristics derived from the rods.
earth electrode, ground electrode
An electrode which is connected to a ground.
electra
A continuous-wave radio navigation aid which uses special radio beacons to provide a number of equisignal zones; usually, there are 24 zones.
electret
1. An insulator carrying a permanent charge similar to a permanent magnet.
2. A solid dielectric with a permanent electric polarization.

This is the electric equivalent of a permanent magnet.

3. A permanently polarized piece of dielectric material produced by heating the material and placing it in a strong electric field during cooling.

Some barium titanate ceramics can carnauba waxes. The electric field of an electret corresponds somewhat to the magnetic field of a permanent magnet.

4. A special plastic piezoelectric element, polarized during manufacture to become the equivalent of a permanently charged capacitor.

It generates an amplitude-responsive output voltage, like a ceramic element, but it requires less energy from the stylus system.

electret headphone
1. An earphone; such as, those used in sound-powered phones, which has a diaphragm of dielectrically (very poor conductor of electric current) charged material including polarized plastic, thereby eliminating the need for an external power source.
2. A headphone consisting of an electret transducer, usually in the form of a push-pull transducer or an instrument; such as, a microphone or electric motor, which converts one form of energy into another form.
electret microphone
1. A microphone that has an electret transducer capable of converting audio waves into electromagnetic waves.
2. A microphone consisting of an electret transducer in which the foil electret diaphragm is placed next to a perforated, ridged, metal or metal-coated backplate, and output voltage, taken between diaphragm and backplate.

It is proportional to the displacement of the diaphragm or a thin, flexible sheet that can be moved by sound waves, as in a microphone, or which can produce sound waves when moved, as in a loudspeaker.

electret transducer (s) (noun), electret transducers (pl)
A tool that is actuated by electric waves from one system and which supplies power in the form of electric waves to a second network.
electric
1. Of or having to do with electricity.
2. Charged with electricity; such as, an electric battery.
3. Containing, producing, arising from, or actuated by electricity, or designed to carry electricity and capable of doing it.

Examples are electric energy, electric lamp, electric eel, electric vehicle, and electric motor.

4. Carrying electricity, or designed to carry electricity.
5. Run by electricity; for example a musical instrument like an electric guitar, producing sounds electronically through a speaker.

Electric, in many cases is used interchangeably with electrical, and it is often restricted to the description of particular devices or to concepts relating to the flow of electric current; such as, an electric fire or an electric charge.

electric accounting machines
A data-processing machines which are primarily electromechanical in nature; such as, sorter, collectors, and tabulators.
electric and magnetic fields
Forces created by the presence of an electric current, and electric charge, or a magnet.

The existence of an electric field is made known by its effect on another electric charge, and the existence of a magnetic field can be made known by its effect on another magnet.

A field around a magnet or an electric current will deflect a small magnet; such as, a compass needle, in a particular direction when it is placed in such a field.

The direction in which the north pole of the magnet points is normally called the direction of the field and the direction of the field generally follows curved lines of force.

electric anesthesia
A temporary anesthesia caused by the passage of an electric current through a part of the body.
electric arc
1. A discharge of electricity through a gas, normally characterized by a voltage drop approximately equal to the ionization potential of the gas.
2. A luminous discharge of current that is formed when a strong current jumps a gap in a circuit or between two electrodes.

Electric arcs across specially designed electrodes can produce very high heat and bright light, and are used for such purposes as welding and illumination in spotlights.

Unwanted arcs in electrical circuits can cause fires and lightning is an example of an electric arc between one cloud and the earth or another cloud, as are sparks caused by discharges of static electricity.

The references or sources of information for compiling the words and definitions in this unit are listed at this Electronic Bibliography page or specific sources are indicated when they are appropriate.


A cross reference of word units that are related, directly and/or indirectly, with "electricity": galvano-; hodo-; ion-; piezo-; -tron; volt; biomechatronics, info; mechatronics, info.