Electricity Study Guide

I. Electric Charges in Atoms. A. All matter is made of particles too small for the human eye to see. These particles are called atoms and some have an electric charge. B. An electric charge can be positive or negative. Static Electricity A. The electric charge that builds on an object and does not move is called static electricity. B. The friction that moves electrons from one object to another causes this build up. C. Too many electrons on an object give it a negative charge. D. Sometimes the difference in charges moving between 2 objects is great enough to cause a spark. This spark is called a discharge. E. Lightning is a form of static electricity. Lightning is the result of a negative charge moving towards a positive charge. Current Electricity A. Electricity that moves through wires is called current electricity. B. In order to run through the wires the electricity must travel through wires that are good conductors. Conductors allow electricity to move easily through them. C. The path made for the electrons is called a circuit. D. The measurement of how well electricity flows through a material is called voltage. E. A circuit must be closed to allow current to run through it. Circuits A. There are two types of circuits series and parallel.

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B. Series Circuits
1. Have only one path for the electrons to move along. 2. Have more resistance so the charge is weaker and the light will glow less bright. 3. If one light in a series circuit burns out the others will not light.

C. Parallel Circuit 1. Has more than one path for the electrons to move along. 2. Has less resistance so the lights burn more brightly. 3. If one light in a parallel circuit goes out the others will stay lit. V. Conductors and Insulators A. Metals make good conductors especially copper. B. Plastic is used over metals as an insulator. Batteries A. Batteries are a source of electricity. B. The points where electricity leaves a battery is called its terminals. C. The symbol for a battery on a diagram looks like this:

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VII. Light bulbs. A. A small coiled wire that glows when electric current passes through it is called a filament. B. The glow in a florescent light bulb is caused by a special coating on the inside of the bulb. VIII. Magnets A. Magnets are made when the particles in certain metals are all lined up in the same direction. B. All magnets have 2 poles a north and south poles. 1. Opposite poles of a magnet attract. 2. The same poles of a magnet repel. 3. The place on a magnet where the magnetism is strongest is called a pole. C. Objects that are attracted to magnets are made of metal.