Electricity

Anywhere in the Universe… You may observe matter, anything that is “something” You may observe that matter is all made of molecules, which are made of atoms of different elements. You may observe that atoms are made of two charges, positive and negative, that are attracted to each other.

What happens when atoms interact with each other?

Atoms “usually” have equal number of positive charge (protons) and negative charge (electrons). This makes the atom neutral, which means it has no charge. Sometimes electrons will “move” from one place to another. Negative charges may move from one object’s atoms onto another object’s surface.

These objects are called insulators. If two objects are rubbed together, electrons might “jump off” one object and “stick” to another object’s surface. These objects are called insulators. Insulators are items that do not allow electrons to flow through them easily. Typically non-metallic items. Examples: plastic, rubber, cotton. Electrons can move between carpet and shoes, or between clothing and trampolines.

This leaves 2 objects with an electric charge: One with extra negative charges (electrons). One with more positive charges (protons). This extra charge can disappear over time, or can be re-balanced quickly by touching a conductor. Conductors are items that allow electrons to easily pass through them. Typically metallic items. Examples: Wires, doorknobs, railings This girl’s hair is positively charged, so the hairs do not want to be near each other!

When a charged item touches a metal conductor, the extra charges will flow from the object through the conductor. This balances the charges again and is called static discharge. When extra charge flows from a person’s body or clothes through a conductor, he or she feels a “shock”! In the universe, when electrons move from one place to another, it is called…

Electricity

When electrons move from one surface to another and stay there until discharge, it is called static electricity. Examples: Jumping on a trampoline then getting shocked by the metal side. Walking with shoes on the carpet then getting shocked by a doorknob. When air and water particles build up charge in the sky and then discharge! This is called lightning.