Electricity By Martin

This week in Physical Science we are learning about electricity and how it works. Electricity is a force created by a difference in charges, such as positive or negative, due to a gained or lost electron. Electrons are known as negatively charged particles. When electricity is flowing between two points it is actually allowing electrons to move from Point A to Point B, which is also known as an electrical current. In order for any of the electrons to flow they need to have different charges between both of the points. The only way that electricity will work is by having both a negative and a positive charge, like charges repel and opposite charges attract. The differences between two points is known as the voltage. Both charges could have a tremendous charge but if the charges are the same, then there will be no electrons flowing at that time. It’s possible for an electrical current to jump from one point to another, but you would normally find it traveling through conductors. Conductors can be any material that allows electrons or electricity to easily flow through it. Currents are usually the amount of electrons that are flowing through conductors, they are measured in amperes (amps).  Any type of an electric cord is layered with a metal conducting wire and the conducting wires are covered by either a plastic or rubber insulation. Insulators are any materials that prevents the flow of electrons or electricity. Some good insulators are usually wood, glass, rubber and/or plastic. Some materials known as resistors can slow down the electricity without stopping it all together. Almost every material, even really good conductors, consists of a small amount of resistance on the electrical current. Resistance is measured in ohms.

This is a representation of electrons that are flowing from one point to the other. It shows that since there is a negative charge and a positive charge that the electrons are flowing easily. They attract each other.

This picture represents that since both sides have alike charges that they aren’t flowing at all. Since they are both negatively charged, the electrons will not make it to both points. They repel each other.

Questions;

1.    Where does electricity come from?

2.    Can you see electricity?

3.    How is electricity created?

4.    What exactly is electricity?