What are the basic characteristics of electricity? Electricity is a form of energy produced by the flow of electrons from one atom to another. Electricity is a form of energy produced by the flow of electrons from one atom to another. Two natural forms of electricity are lightning and static. Two natural forms of electricity are lightning and static.

The flow of electrons must have a complete circuit to travel, from a source, down a wire, then to a device to use the electrical energy.

Electron

Static electricity Static electricity causes clothes in the dryer to have opposite charges. The oppositely charged clothes attract each other and stick together. Static electricity causes clothes in the dryer to have opposite charges. The oppositely charged clothes attract each other and stick together.

Induction The buildup of negative charges on the balloon causes the neutral wall to become positive by induction The buildup of negative charges on the balloon causes the neutral wall to become positive by induction

Discharge The electrons rapidly discharge from the cloud in the form of lightning.

Closed Circuit A closed circuit allows electrons to flow. Turn something on and you are closing the circuit A closed circuit allows electrons to flow. Turn something on and you are closing the circuit

Open Circuit An open circuit does NOT allow electrons to flow. Turn something off and you are opening the circuit. An open circuit does NOT allow electrons to flow. Turn something off and you are opening the circuit.

Current electricity

Direct Current & Alternating Current DC: Current moves only in 1 direction. DC: Current moves only in 1 direction. AC: Current moves back and forth. AC: Current moves back and forth.

In Direct Current (DC), the electrons flow in only one direction. Batteries produce direct currents. IIn Alternating Current (AC), the electrons flow back and forth. Household appliances operate on AC.

Conductor The salt water will conduct an electric current and allow the light bulb to light. Another conductor in the picture is the metal wire. The salt water will conduct an electric current and allow the light bulb to light. Another conductor in the picture is the metal wire.

Insulator The use of glass electrical insulators are declining since many telephone lines are now being run underground. The use of glass electrical insulators are declining since many telephone lines are now being run underground. The glass insulator for telegraph wire was invented by Ezra Cornell in Another use for insulators came with the invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. The glass insulator for telegraph wire was invented by Ezra Cornell in Another use for insulators came with the invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.

Two Types of Circuits Series circuits - electrons flow through several devices connected in the circuit, and the electrons can only travel in one pathway. Series circuits - electrons flow through several devices connected in the circuit, and the electrons can only travel in one pathway.

Series Circuits - Facts 1. If one bulb goes out, they all go out. 2. The lights are dimmer than a parallel circuit.

Parallel circuits - electrons flow in several possible pathways at the same time. Parallel circuits - electrons flow in several possible pathways at the same time. Most household appliances operate on parallel circuits. Most household appliances operate on parallel circuits.

Parallel Circuits - Facts 1. If one bulb goes out, the other bulbs stay on. 2. The lights are brighter than in a series circuit.

Measuring Electrical Energy Electricity in a circuit is measured in amps Electricity in a circuit is measured in amps Electrical force is measured in volts. Electrical force is measured in volts.

Electrical energy consumption is measured in units called kilowatts. Kilowatt-hours are a measure of the amount of work or energy delivered during the steady consumption of 1 kilowatt of power for one hour. Electrical energy consumption is measured in units called kilowatts. Kilowatt-hours are a measure of the amount of work or energy delivered during the steady consumption of 1 kilowatt of power for one hour.

Power = voltage x current or Watts = volts x amperes Energy = power x time or Kilowatt-hours = kilowatt x hours Electrical Equations

Electricity is related to Magnetism! Magnets and current- carrying wires both produce magnetic fields. Magnets and current- carrying wires both produce magnetic fields.

Generator Water flows down a chute. Water flows down a chute. The water turns a turbine. The water turns a turbine. The turbine spins a magnet. The turbine spins a magnet. The moving magnetic field induces an electric current. The moving magnetic field induces an electric current. Summary: Kinetic Mechanical Energy is transformed into Electricity Summary: Kinetic Mechanical Energy is transformed into Electricity

Motor The battery provides Electrical Energy. The battery provides Electrical Energy. The armature (metal wire) has an electric current running through it & a magnetic field around it. The armature (metal wire) has an electric current running through it & a magnetic field around it. The permanent magnet exerts its magnetic force as opposite poles of the two magnetic fields attract each other and cause the armature to move. The permanent magnet exerts its magnetic force as opposite poles of the two magnetic fields attract each other and cause the armature to move. Summary: Electrical Energy is transformed into Kinetic Mechanical Energy Summary: Electrical Energy is transformed into Kinetic Mechanical Energy

Electromagnet Parts of an electromagnet: Parts of an electromagnet: battery to provide electric current battery to provide electric current coil of wire (solenoid) coil of wire (solenoid) iron core iron core Strength of the electromagnet increases if the size of any of the parts of the electromagnet are increased. Strength of the electromagnet increases if the size of any of the parts of the electromagnet are increased.

Magnetic Field The magnetic field lines in the top picture show the shape of a magnetic field. The iron filings sprinkled around the magnet in the bottom picture also show the magnetic field lines.

Kilowatt-hour Electrical energy = power X time Electrical energy = power X time The unit for electrical energy that enters your home is the kilowatt-hour The unit for electrical energy that enters your home is the kilowatt-hour

Electricity Definitions 1. Alternating current - current in which the electrons reverse their direction regularly 1.Alternating current - current in which the electrons reverse their direction regularly 2. Atom - smallest part of an element that has all the properties of that element 2.Atom - smallest part of an element that has all the properties of that element

Electricity Definitions 3. Battery - device that produces electricity by converting chemical energy into electrical energy 3.Battery - device that produces electricity by converting chemical energy into electrical energy 4. Circuit - complete path through which electricity can flow 4.Circuit - complete path through which electricity can flow

5. Conductor - material which allows electrons to flow freely from atom to atom 5.Conductor - material which allows electrons to flow freely from atom to atom

6. Current - flow of electrons 6.Current - flow of electrons 7. Direct current - current consisting of electrons to flow constantly in one direction 7.Direct current - current consisting of electrons to flow constantly in one direction 8. Electron - subatomic particle with a negative charge found in the area outside the nucleus of an atom 8.Electron - subatomic particle with a negative charge found in the area outside the nucleus of an atom 9. Force - push or pull on an object 9.Force - push or pull on an object

10. Insulator - material made up of atoms that resist the flow of electrons 10.Insulator - material made up of atoms that resist the flow of electrons 12. Series circuit - circuit in which all parts are connected one after another; if one part fails to work properly then the current stops flowing 12.Series circuit - circuit in which all parts are connected one after another; if one part fails to work properly then the current stops flowing

14. Static electricity - movement of charges from one object to another without further movement 14.Static electricity - movement of charges from one object to another without further movement 15. Voltage – also called potential difference; the “push” on the electrons; energy carried by charges that make up a current 15.Voltage – also called potential difference; the “push” on the electrons; energy carried by charges that make up a current