Electricity

Electricity is a flow of electric charges that power our world. To understand in more depth we much know more about atoms:

Atoms

Atoms are the building blacks of our universe and make up everything in it (excluding space). Inside atoms are even smaller particles, called protons, neutrons and electrons. The middle of the atom is called the nucleus and it is made up of neutrons and protons. Electrons circle the nucleus in rings (known as shells).

Electrons have a positive charge whereas protons have a positive charge. Neutrons have neutral charge. As a result of being opposites, electrons and protons are attracted to each other.

The electrons in the closest shells to the protons have a strong attraction to the protons. However, the shells that are further out do not. These electrons can be forced to leave their orbits, causing them to move from one atom to another.

These moving electrons are electricity.

Types of Electricity and Electromagnetism

There are two types of electricity:

  1. Static electricity- Have you ever felt a shock when touching something? This is because of static electricity. Static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance in positively and negatively charged atoms. The electrons jump from atom to atom and release energy. An example of static electricity in nature is lightning.
  2. Current electricity- Current electricity is a constant flow of electrons. They may move in one or more directions

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Current electricity creates a small magnetic field. The event of this happening is called electromagnetism. This field is not very useful. However if a wire is coiled up the interaction between the two fields can be useful. This is used in multiple devices such as electric motors and hooks in junkyards used for picking up metals.