Electricity

Electricity is a form of energy that results from charged particles. Like poles on a magnet, charged particles cause attraction and repulsion. The forces caused by electricity are primarily the result of charged particles called electrons.

​Can anyone explain what is going on with this slide?

Electricity

Usually, an atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, so the overall charge of the atom remains neutral, or zero. However, sometimes electrons transfer to other atoms, causing the charge to change. When this happens:

• the atom that loses electrons becomes positively charged; and

• the atom that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.

Electricity is both a type of energy and a type of force. When electrons flow through a wire, it causes the energy you call electricity. However, in this lesson, you will study how electricity functions as a force. Continue on to learn about electric fields.

As in magnetism, electric force can be either attractive or repulsive. Remember that:

• opposite charges attract; and

• like charges repel.

You can observe these electric forces if you rub a balloon on your hair. Continue on to view a video that explains how a balloon can produce electric forces.

​What causes this?

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​Electric Fields

​An electric field extends outward from a positive charge in all directions. Some scientists refer to the positive charge as the origin, or source, of an electric field.

​The field lines for a negative charge point toward the particle. Scientists sometimes refer to the electric field as terminating, or ending, at the negative charge.

***By definition, electric field lines always show the direction a positive test charge would move if placed in the field.***

Let's begin to play with electricity.

We are going to use a PHET simulation. As we go through the simulation. Try to accomplish the following.



1. See if you can turn a light bulb on.
2. See if you can determine which end of the battery the electrons are flowing from
3. See if you can add a fuse to your circuit
4. See if you can get the fuse to break!
5. What is the point of a fuse?

Common Assessments Tomorrow!