1. Electricity - Current

2. Electric current: The continuous flow of electrical charges through a material.
The unit that measures the rate of the current (the flow rate) is the ampere.
This is shortened to “amps”.
The number of amps describes the amount of charge flowing past a given point.

3. In order to maintain an electrical current the charge must flow in a continuous loop.
A complete, unbroken path that charges flow is called a ________________.
CIRCUIT!!!!!

4. Conductors and Insulators
Conductor: a material through which charges can flow easily.
Ex. Metals
Insulators: a material that does not allow charges to flow through.
Ex. Rubber, wood

5. What effects Current Flow
Charges flow because the differences in electric potential energy.
Potential energy from an energy source can be converted into other forms of energy

6. This difference in energy causes charges to flow.
Voltage: The difference in electrical potential energy between two points on a circuit.
This is measured in volts
This difference in energy causes charges to flow.

7. Resistance
This is the measure of how difficult it is for charges to flow through an object.
The greater the resistance the less current there is.
Resistance is measured in Ohms.
There are 4 factors that determine the resistance of an object.
Diameter, length, material, temperature

8. Diameter: current flows more easily through a wider diameter wire.
Length: shorter wires provide less resistance

9. Material: some materials have electrons that are tightly held together, because of this the electrons don’t transfer well.
Temperature: resistance usually increases as the temperature increases.