Current Electricity

Current Electricity: is the flow of an ectric charge through a wire.

What is the difference between static electricity and current electricity? Static electricity is stationary or collects on the surface of an object, whereas current electricity is flowing very rapidly through a conductor. The flow of electricity in current electricity has electrical pressure or voltage. Electric charges flow from an area of high voltage to an area of low voltage. Water pressure and voltage behave in similar ways.

Current Electricity (charge flows)… Energy charges move easily through conductors. Do you remember what a good conductor is? …Metals are the best conductors (remember free electrons?) Now, what is a bad conductor? Plastic and rubber are great insulators…

HOW DOES A LIGHT BULB WORK? When a light switch is off, a gap of insulating air keeps charge from flowing between two copper wires. If you flip the switch you’ll close the gap and bring the two wires together. When the wires touch, the electric charge flows.

HOW DOES A LIGHT BULB WORK? The flow of charge can now move from the wall socket through the wires leading to the lamp. This charge flows through wires from your local energy plant to your home, through the wires in the walls, and finally to the socket.

HOW DOES A LIGHT BULB WORK? The charge flows through the plug along the wires into the lamp and then through a filament inside the bulb. The filament is a conductor. As a charge passes through it, the filament glows and emits light and heat. The flow of charge then continues in a circle.

What is electrical resistance? Resistance (R)is the opposition to the flow of an electric current, causing the electrical energy to be converted to thermal energy or light. The metal which makes up a light bulb filament or stovetop eye has a high electrical resistance. This causes light and heat to be given off.

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