Electricity
Electricity is an energy. This energy can be used to power electrical items such as toasters, kettles, cookers, televisions and computer tablets.
Electrical energy is caused by electrons (the particles in atoms) moving about to make a current.
Electricity can be created in a variety of ways such as:
- burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) at power stations,
- using wind power generated by wind turbines,
- using solar power generated by the sun,
- using water power (sometimes called hydropower) generated by running or falling water.
Electricity is transported to our homes, schools and places of work through wires and cables.
Electricity can also be stored in batteries (sometimes called cells).
The diagram below shows a battery (cell) with wires connecting it to the bulb.
Some of the electrical vocabulary your child will learn to use includes these terms:
Current: this is the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit (basically a flow of electrons moving in a loop in the circuit). It can be measured using an ammeter and measured in amps.
Some objects conduct electricity; this means they allow electricity to flow through them easily. These are called conductors. Metal items such as spoons, paperclips, coins are good conductors.
Other objects do not allow electricity to flow through them easily these are called insulators. Rubber, paper and some plastics are examples of insulators.
How to make Electricity:
