Controlling the flow of Electricity Conductors

Intro to Electricity Electricity is a form of energy involving the flow of electrons. All matter is made up of atoms, and an atom has a center, called a nucleus.

The nucleus contains positively charged particles called protons and uncharged particles called neutrons. The nucleus of an atom is surrounded by negatively charged particles called electrons.

The negative charge of an electron is equal to the positive charge of a proton Number of electrons = number of protons.

Materials that allow efficient movement of charge are called conductors. Most and best is copper Must have free electrons (which can easily move from one atom to the next)

Electron Musical Chairs Electron A moves off, the by an electron from atom B then C

Electrical Current The pressure (voltage) at the negative terminal of the battery forces electrons into the copper pathway An equal number of electrons but different electrons, come out the other end of the wire into the positive terminal of the battery.

When you operate a switch, the mechanism connect one metal contact with another to complete a circuit and the current flows. Air is a good insulator because there is no moving charge. Similar to air is other insulators such as glass, wax, paper, plastic, rubber, or cloth