ELECTRICITY

Definitions
 A form of energy observable in positive and
negative forms that occurs naturally (as in
lightning) or is produced (as in generator) and
that is expressed in terms of the movement and
interaction of electrons.
History
 One of the first great uses of electricity was for
communication using Morse Code and the
Telegraph in 1840. This allowed messages to
be sent long distances in an instant. After that came the telephone and the radio
and, in 1880, electric light. These inventions and the use of electricity changed
the world. Electricity continued to change the world with new inventions such as
the TV and, even more recently, the personal computer and the cell phone.

What is Electricity?

 Atoms are small particles that make up all matter. They are
so small that it takes billions and billions of them just to make
something useful like a pencil. Inside the atom are even
smaller objects called electrons, protons, and neutrons.
Electrons have a negative charge (-) and the protons have a
positive charge (+). The protons and neutrons stick to
together in the center of the atom, called the nucleus. The
electrons spin fast around the outside. The positive charge of
the protons keeps the electrons from flying off and leaving the atom.

 The electrons in the atom are where electricity gets its name. In some elements,
there are electrons on the outside of the atom that, when a force is applied, can
come loose and move to another atom. When a bunch of atoms are together and
electrons are moving from one atom to the other in the same direction, this is
called electricity. Electricity is the "flow" of electrons.

Here are some key elements to a circuit:

 Power source: Could be a battery or your wall outlet

 Conductor: The wires that carry the electricity from place to place
 Load: what the electricity is powering, like the light bulb in the example above
 Switch: The switch that connects the circuit together to start the electricity flowing
 Is electricity safe?

Electricity can be dangerous. Some important things to keep in mind:

1. Never play with electricity.

2. Always follow the instructions on electrical equipment and ask your mom or dad
for help if you don't understand.
3. Never stick anything but a proper plug into a wall outlet.
4. When you unplug something from the wall, don't pull on the cord, use the plug.
5. Never put electronic items into the water, especially if they are plugged in.
6. Don't place items on top of electrical cords. The cords could get damaged and
cause a fire.

These are just some safety precautions to take when using electricity. If you are unsure,
be sure to check with your parents or teacher.

What are some important things to know about

electricity?

 Conductors and insulators - Conductors are materials that allow electricity to

flow easily. Most types of metal are good conductors, which is why we use metal
for electrical wire.  Copper is a good conductor and isn't too expensive, so it's
used a lot for the wiring in homes today. Insulators are the opposite of
conductors. An insulator is a material that doesn't carry electricity. Insulators are
important because they can protect us from electricity. Materials like rubber,
plastic, and paper are good insulators.
 Voltage - Voltage is the name for the electric force that causes electrons to flow.
It's the measure of potential difference between two points in the circuit. Voltage
may come from a battery or a power plant.
 Current - Current is the measure of the flow of electrons in a circuit. Current is
measured in Amps or Amperes.
 Power (Watts) - The power or energy used by a circuit is measured in Watts.
You can calculate the number of Watts by multiplying the Voltage times the
Current. When your parents get their electrical bill it's generally in kilowatt hours.
This is the measurement of power over time or how much power was used that
month.
 Resistance - Resistance measures how well a material or object conducts
electricity. Low resistance means the object conducts electricity well, high
resistance means the object does not conduct electricity well.
Battery

A battery can act as a source of electricity in circuits. It stores

up electric power and then provides a voltage across a circuit
causing power to flow through the circuit. Batteries use chemicals
that react to produce electricity. They have a positive terminal called
the cathode and a negative terminal called the anode. When a circuit with a load is
placed across the anode and cathode, the chemicals react causing electricity to flow
through the circuit. The chemicals in batteries only last so long, so batteries have a
limited amount of electricity and eventually will run out.

Alternate and Direct Current

There are two main types of current used in electrical systems today: alternate
current (AC) and direct current (DC). Batteries, and most electronics, use direct current.
This is where current always flows in one direction. Power stations that generate power
for our homes generate current that constantly changes direction (60 times each
second). Therefore the power that we get from our wall outlets is AC current.

Static Electricity

Sometimes electric charges can build up on the surface of objects. This is called
static electricity. When you put on your clothes and they sometimes "stick" to your body
or have an attraction to you, this is static electricity. When your hair sometimes goes
straight up for no reason, this can be static electricity. If you rub a balloon against your
clothes, you can build up a static electricity charge on the balloon that will cause it to
stick to a wall. Static electricity can sometimes damage electronic components. There
are anti-static bags and other ways to protect components from getting damaged.

Electricity in our House?

Electricity travels to our house over power lines from a big power plant
somewhere far away. Your parents actually have to pay for how much electricity is
used. There is an electric meter outside of your house that keeps track of this. The more
the lights are on or the TV is running, the higher the bill will be from the electric
company.

Once the power comes to our house, it gets sent out on wires to sockets in the walls.
We can plug all sorts of things into these sockets and use the power from electricity. In
our homes we power lights, air conditioning, televisions, ovens, and more from
electricity. Without it, we'd be bored, hot, and sitting in the dark.

Some electricity comes from batteries. Batteries use chemicals to store up electricity
that can power devices like cell phones, radio controlled cars, handheld video games,
and flashlights. Batteries run out of power after a while and either need to be recharged
or recycled. Remember to always recycle your batteries as there are dangerous
chemicals in them!

Other uses?

Electricity is used in cars too. There is a big battery to help the engine get started. Then
the engine generates electricity for the radio, lights, and other cool features. Some cars
run 100% on electricity by using big batteries that get charged up from a wall socket.

Electricity also can make magnetism. This can be used to create giant powerful
magnets as well as fast and quiet magnetic trains. Electric motors generate magnetism
to turn the motor and cause movement for all sorts of uses.

Fun Facts!

 Electric eels use electricity to ward off enemies. They can

produce a shock of around 500 volts.
 Our bodies use electricity to communicate including telling our heart to keep
beating.
 Two famous scientists, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, once had an argument
over what kind of electricity we should use in our homes, AC or DC. Tesla won
and AC is delivered to most homes still today.
 Electricity was first used in homes for lighting.

Prepared by:

Tubon, Royally Y.

BEEd 2A
 Check-up Test

Name: Date:

Grade & Section: Score:

I. Circle the letter of the correct

answer.

1) What small particles make up all matter?

a. Dust b. Rocks c. Minerals d. Atoms e. Crystals

2) What atomic particles have a positive charge?

a. Neutrons b. Electrons c. Protons d. Photons e. All of the above

3) What atomic particles spin around the outside of the nucleus?

a. Neutrons b. Electrons c. Protons d. Photons e. All of the above

4) Electricity is the flow of ________.

a. Neutrons b. Electrons c. Protons d. Photons e. All of the above

5) What is the portion of an electric circuit that is being powered? (for example, a light
bulb)
a. Power Source b. Switch c. Load
d. Conductor e. None of the Above

6) What part of an electric circuit completes the circuit and starts the flow of electricity
when it is closed?
a. Power Source b. Switch c. Load
d. Conductor e. None of the Above

7) What part of an electric circuit are the wires that carry the electricity?
a. Power Source b. Switch c. Load
d. Conductor e. None of the Above

8) What part of an electric circuit is a battery?

a. Power Source b. Switch c. Load
d. Conductor e. None of the Above

9) What precaution should you take when dealing with electricity?

a. Don't place items on electrical cords
b. Don't unplug items by pulling on the cord
c. Always follow the instructions on electrical items
d. Don't play with electricity
e. All of the above
10) How does electricity typically get to a home or apartment?
a. Through the air
b. Through cable
c. Over power lines
d. From satellite
e. Using radio frequency waves

I. True or False. Write TESLA if the statement is

true and CURIE if the statement is wrong.

_____1. Some animals use electricity to fight off enemies.

_____2.The scientist that argued with Thomas Edison over AC versus DC

electrical power is Nikola Tesla.

_____3. Batteries eventually run out of power and need to be recycled or

recharged.

_____4. The electricity you use in your house or apartment is free.

_____5. You should never put electronic items into the water.

_____6. Always play with electricity.

_____7. Don’t follow the instructions on electrical equipment and ask your mom
or dad for help if you don't understand.

_____8. Telephone is the early electrical invention allowed messages to be sent

using Morse Code?

_____9. Refrigerator is an electrical items is typically powered by a battery.

_____10 Batteries get the energy to produce electricity in chemical reactions.