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Energy Use Investigation
Glossary of Terms
Here you will find a list of terms and phrases explained in an easy to understand manner.
A - B | C - D | E - End | Energy - Externality
F - G | H - K | L - M | N | P | R - S | T - W
- Parallel circuit (also Parallel
connection)
- An electrical circuit in which each component of the circuit (e.g., a set of
light bulbs) is connected across a voltage source (e.g., a battery) so that an
electric current flows through each component along a separate path. See
Series circuit.
- Passive solar heating
- A solar heating system that uses a simple solar collector, building
materials, or an architectural design to capture and store the sun's heat, but
that does not include any mechanical system to transfer heat to various parts of
a home or building.
- Petroleum
- A mixture of liquid, gaseous, and solid hydrocarbon compounds found
naturally underground. The liquid form of petroleum is called crude oil.
Petroleum can be processed (refined) into a number of useful products including
asphalt, diesel fuel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel, lubrication oil, and
plastics. See Fuel oil, Gasoline, Hydrocarbon.
- Photovoltaic cell (abbrevs. pv,
PV, pv cell; also Solar cell)
- A device that converts solar energy directly into electricity. For example,
photovoltaic cells provide electricity for handheld calculators, watches,
battery chargers, homes, and satellites.
- Photovoltaics
- Of, or related to, the use of photovoltaic (solar) cells for producing
electricity. See Photovoltaic cell.
- P-layer
- A layer of material used in computer chips, solar cells, and transistors and
made by mixing a semiconductor (such as silicon) with substances that have fewer
electrons than the semiconductor has. The p-layer has a positive charge that
aids in the attraction of electrons and the flow of electric current. See
N-layer, P-N junction,
Semiconductor.
- P-N junction
- The boundary between the n-layer and the p-layer in a semiconductor device
such as a solar cell or transistor. The p-n junction forms an electrical barrier
that keeps excess electrons in the n-layer separated from the p-layer, which
allows the device to work properly in an electrical circuit. See N-layer, P-layer,
Semiconductor.
- Potential energy
- The energy in an object because of its position or the arrangement of its
parts. Form of potential energy include chemical, elastic, electrical
(electromagnetic), gravitational, nuclear, and thermal energy. Potential energy
is often referred to as "stored" energy. Some scientists and educators avoid use
of the word "stored" because of associated misconceptions.
- Power
- 1. The rate in which energy is transferred or converted per unit of time. 2.
The rate in which work is done. See Horsepower, Kilowatt, Megawatt, Watt for units of power.
- Power plant (also Electric power plant)
- 1. A human-made industrial system composed of machinery, equipment, and
structures designed to convert various energy resources into electricity,
usually on a large scale. Examples include coal-fired and nuclear power plants
and hydroelectric dams. 2. Any human-made equipment or system that produces
power, including the structure that contains it.
- Propane (formula: C3H8)
- A colorless hydrocarbon fuel that occurs in both gaseous and liquid form and
that is produced from natural gas or crude oil.
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (abbrevs. PSC, PSCW)
- The state agency that regulates Wisconsin's public utilities. PSC personnel
investigate, analyze, and research public service regulatory issues. The PSC
staff includes accountants, engineers, attorneys, consumer specialists and
clerical support staff.
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