Name/#: ________________________________ Date:
Electricity
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What makes lightning, a flashlight, an alarm clock battery, and a toaster work?
 Their common link isn’t something magical…
 They are powered by a form of energy called ELECTRICITY.
Atoms
 Everything is made of atoms. They are tiny particles made up of even tinier particles.
 There are 4 major parts of an atom:
1. Nucleus: middle of the atom
2. Proton: has a positive charge (+)
3. Electron: has a negative charge (-)
4. Neutron: has a neutral charge
Electrons
 Electrons are the negatively charged particles in atoms. Electrons
can move from one object to another.
 These balloons are both negatively charged and are repelling each
other.
 The object that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.
 The object that loses electrons becomes positively charged.
Static Electricity
 When charges are near each other, electrons can move from one
object to another.
 The object that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.
 The object that loses electrons becomes positively charged.
 The built up charges are known as static electricity.
 Rubbing certain materials together creates static electricity.
 Static electricity is the result of electrons being pulled from
one surface to another. This can happen if you take a sweater out of the dryer or you
drag your feet on the carpet. Your feet pick up extra electrons from the carpet and
become negatively charged.
 Lightning is caused by static electricity. Friction in the clouds can cause the bottom of a
cloud to become negatively charged. A big spark of lightning can "jump" between the
negatively charged cloud and the positively charged ground.
What is a current?
 When river water moves, we say that a current of water flows. And when electric charges
move in a wire, we say that an electric current flows.
 When electrons move from one atom to another creating a flow, you have electric
current.
 A continuous flow of negative charges (electrons) creates an electric current.
 The pathway taken by an electric current is called a circuit.
Open & Closed Circuits
1. Closed circuits allow the movement of electrical energy.
2. Open circuits prevent the movement of electrical energy by creating gaps or openings
in the flow of electric charges.
A basic electric circuit:
Open Circuit: An incomplete path for
the flow of electric current.
Closed Circuit: A complete path for
the flow of electric current.
Series Circuit:
In a series circuit the electricity flows only one way. If there is
any break in the circuit, it will not work. (All of the lights will go
out!)
Parallel Circuit:
In a parallel circuit, the electricity flows more than one way,
so if it is broken in one place, the circuit will still work (If one
light burns out, the other lights will still work!)
Insulators and Conductors:
Electrical energy moves through materials that are conductors (metals). Insulators (rubber,
plastic, wood) do not conduct electricity well.
 Conductor: Allows negatively charged particles (electrons) to move. The electric current
can easily move through metals such as copper and silver. Water and living things also are
good conductors.
 Insulators: Materials that DO NOT allow negatively charged particles to move. Electric
current CAN NOT move easily through materials such as plastic and rubber. Glass and
wood are also good insulators.