Electricity and Circuits

What Is Electrical Energy?#

Electricity is a form of energy caused by the movement of tiny particles called electrons. Electrons are found in all matter, and when they flow in an organized way, they create an electric current — the basis of all the electrical devices we use every day.

How Electricity Works#

Think of electrons like water in a pipe. Just as water flows from a tank through pipes to a faucet, electrons flow from a power source (like a battery) through wires to devices that use the energy (like a light bulb).

• Battery: A portable energy source that uses chemical reactions to push electrons through a circuit
• Wires: Metal conductors that allow electrons to flow from one place to another
• Light bulb (or other device): Converts electrical energy into light, heat, or motion

Voltage and Current#

• Voltage is the 'push' that drives electrons through a circuit — measured in volts (V). A battery labeled 9V provides more push than one labeled 1.5V.
• Current is the flow rate of electrons — how many electrons pass a point per second, measured in amperes (amps, A)

Static vs. Current Electricity#

Static electricity is electricity that builds up on objects and dösn't flow — like the shock you get from touching a doorknob after walking across carpet.

Current electricity flows continuously through a complete path (circuit) — this is what powers your lights, computer, and phone.

In science class, you will work with current electricity using simple circuits to explore how electrical energy moves and dös work.