Unit 10 Lesson 2

Atoms are the building blocks of matter. You can only see an atom with a special microscope.

There are three parts of the atom, they are the protons, neutrons and electrons.

Electric charge is a property of a particle that affects how it behaves around other particles.

When an atom has the same number of protons and electrons, the positive charges and negative charges cancel each other out.

Particles with the same charge repel (push against) each other. Particles that have different charges attract (pull together)

Static electricity is electric charges built up on objects. Objects with opposite charges attract each other and objects with the same charge repel each other.

During a thunderstorm, tiny raindrops or ice particles bump into each other. When this happens it causes electric charge to build up. The postive charge forms at the top of the cloud and the negative charge forms at the bottom of the cloud.

When the difference in charge between a cloud and the ground is great enough then there is electrostatic discharge (lightning).

The temperature inside the lightning can reach 27,760 C which is hotter than the surface of the sun!

Electric current is the flow of electric charges.

We use electricity for many things including lights in your home and buildings, cooking, computers and cell phones, heating and cooling your home. The list goes on.

Energy stations change different types of energy into electrical energy. For example chemical energy (coal, gas, oil), nuclear or mechanical energy.