Circuits and Electronics

A circuit is a road for electricity. Circuits move power through many kinds of things that run on electricity, or
electronics. Electronics, including cell phones and small video games, need electricity and circuits to work.

Electricity
Electricity is the flow or movement of electrical power. This power is caused by very small pieces of electricitycalled
electrons. Electrons do not always stay in the same place. When they move, they make electricity.

Electricity often travels or flows through wires or other materials. When electricity flows, it is called an electricalcurrent or
an electric current. Electric currents move electricity from one place to another.

[caption] This illustration shows how electricity flows through a wire. This is called an electrical current.

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Circuits
Electricity moves in a circuit. In a circuit, the current flows through all the wires. A circuit flows in a circle. In acircuit, the
current will return to where it started.

A circuit is like a bridge over a small river. If the river is not very wide, a person can jump across to get to theother side.
However, if the river is wide, people need to cross by using a bridge. Without a bridge, people cannot move across.

A circuit acts the same way. Electrons cannot move very well by themselves. They need circuits in order totravel. Without
circuits, electrons stay in place.
Conductors and Insulators
A circuit needs to get electricity from somewhere. The place where electricity comes from is a called a source.A battery is
one source of electricity. A battery holds electric power until the power is needed. An electric outlet is another source of
electricity. An electric outlet is a place where people can plug in things that use electricity. In houses, electric outlets are
usually in the wall. The outlet is a source of electricity.

A circuit also needs wires. Wires move the electrical current away from the source. These wires are usuallymade of
metal. That is because electricity moves very well through metal. Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

Not all materials are good conductors of electricity. Rubber and plastic are not good electrical conductors. Thisis why
wires are not made of rubber or plastic.

However, wires are often covered with rubber or plastic. These materials help keep the electric current inside the wires.
Rubber and plastic are called insulators. Insulators are important for safety reasons. If people toucha metal wire with
electricity running inside it and without insulators, the electricity could go into their body. This can be very harmful. It will
hurt.

[caption] This picture shows copper wire. Copper is a metal that is a good conductor of electricity. This wire iscovered in
plastic. The plastic is an insulator.

BU004170 Copyright Getty Images

More About Circuits
In a circuit, the wires go from the power source to an object or thing that needs electricity to work. The wires inthe circuit
must be tightly connected to both the power source (or power supply) and the object.

A circuit is like a circle or a loop. It must start and end at the same place. Other wires must come back from theobject to the
power supply, too.

[caption] A flashlight contains an example of a circuit. The switch lets energy from the battery turn the light on and off.

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If there is a wire back to the power source, the circuit is complete. The electric current can flow from the powersource
through the wires. The circuit will stop working if the connections between the wires are broken. Then
the electric current will not be able to get through.

Electronics
The word electronics can be used to talk about objects that run on electricity and use circuits, such as cell phones and
GPS units. GPS units are small computers that have maps in them and help people to find theirway.

Electronics are usually small and easy to carry. They usually use battery power, but some can be plugged into an
electrical outlet, too.

: [Caption] This calculator has a small circuit inside it. Calculators are a kind of electronics.

skd284226sdc Copyright Getty Images

The circuits in electronics are often very tiny. Circuits can also be very complicated. This means that they canhave many
parts and send power to many different parts of electronics.

Bibliography
Periodical

Thomsen, Dietrick E. "Lighting Up the Switchboard." Science News 119.2 (30 May 1981): 2p. Online. EBSCO.26
September 2008. http://search.ebscohost.com.bdigital.sena.edu.co/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=sch&AN=7094184&site=ehost-live.

Reference Book

Baldasso, Renzo. "Electricity." Encyclopedia of the Scientific Revolution (Jan. 2000): 2p. Online. EBSCO. 26
September 2008. http://search.ebscohost.com.bdigital.sena.edu.co/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=sch&AN=20062902&site=ehost-live.

Websites

Circuits: Energy Story. California Energy Commission. 27 September 2008.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter04.html.

Conductors and Insulators. NDT Resource Center. 27 September 2008.

http://www.ndted.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Electricity/conductorsinsulators.html.

Static Electricity and Resistance: Energy Story. California Energy Commission. 27 September 2008.
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter03.html.

Comprehension Test

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Things that run on electricity are called

A. electric currents.
B. circuits.
C. electrons.
D. electronics.

2. When electricity flows, it is called

A. an electric current.
B. a circuit.
C. a conductor.
D. an insulator.

3. An example of a source is

A. an electric outlet.
B. an insulator.
C. a circuit.
D. rubber.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

4. A Battery holds electric power until the

power is needed.

5. Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

6. A circuit is a road for electricity.

~~~~~~~~
By Stephen Currie
Stephen Currie has extensive experience in writing for middle and high school readers. He has published books on
topics ranging from invasive species to child labor and from the Mississippi River to the constructionof Steinway pianos.
He has also written curriculum materials for secondary-level subjects including math, history, science, and personal
finance. He has taught classes and given workshops for students of all ages from kindergarten through college.

Copyright of Circuits & Electronics (ELL) is the property of Great Neck Publishing and its content may not becopied or
emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However,
users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.

TRADUCCIÓN

Circuitos y Electrónica
Un circuito es un camino para la electricidad. Los circuitos mueven energía a través de muchos tipos de cosas que
funcionan con electricidad, o
electrónica. Los aparatos electrónicos, incluidos los teléfonos celulares y los pequeños videojuegos, necesitan
electricidad y circuitos para funcionar.

Electricidad
La electricidad es el flujo o movimiento de la energía eléctrica. Este poder es causado por piezas muy pequeñas de
electricidad llamadas electrones. Los electrones no siempre se quedan en el mismo lugar. Cuando se mueven,
producen electricidad.

La electricidad a menudo viaja o fluye a través de cables u otros materiales. Cuando la electricidad fluye, se le llama
corriente eléctrica o corriente eléctrica. Las corrientes eléctricas mueven la electricidad de un lugar a otro.

Circuitos
La electricidad se mueve en un circuito. En un circuito, la corriente fluye a través de todos los cables. Un circuito fluye
en un círculo. En un circuito, la corriente regresará a donde comenzó.
Un circuito es como un puente sobre un pequeño río. Si el río no es muy ancho, una persona puede saltar para llegar
al otro lado. Sin embargo, si el río es ancho, la gente necesita cruzar usando un puente. Sin un puente, la gente no
puede cruzar.

Un circuito actúa de la misma manera. Los electrones no pueden moverse muy bien por sí mismos. Necesitan circuitos
para viajar. Sin circuitos, los electrones permanecen en su lugar.
Conductores y Aislantes
Un circuito necesita obtener electricidad de alguna parte. El lugar de donde proviene la electricidad se llama fuente.
Una batería es una fuente de electricidad. Una batería contiene energía eléctrica hasta que se necesita la energía. Una
toma de corriente es otra fuente de electricidad. Un tomacorriente es un lugar donde las personas pueden enchufar
cosas que usan electricidad. En las casas, los enchufes eléctricos suelen estar en la pared. La salida es una fuente de
electricidad.

Un circuito también necesita cables. Los cables alejan la corriente eléctrica de la fuente. Estos cables suelen estar
hechos de metal. Eso es porque la electricidad se mueve muy bien a través del metal. El metal es un buen conductor
de la electricidad.

No todos los materiales son buenos conductores de la electricidad. El caucho y el plástico no son buenos conductores
eléctricos. Esta es la razón por la cual los cables no están hechos de caucho o plástico.

Sin embargo, los cables suelen estar cubiertos de goma o plástico. Estos materiales ayudan a mantener la corriente
eléctrica dentro de los cables. El caucho y el plástico se llaman aislantes. Los aisladores son importantes por razones
de seguridad. Si las personas tocan un cable de metal con electricidad corriendo por dentro y sin aisladores, la
electricidad podría entrar en su cuerpo. Esto puede ser muy dañino. Dolerá.

Más sobre circuitos

En un circuito, los cables van desde la fuente de energía hasta un objeto o cosa que necesita electricidad para
funcionar. Los cables del circuito deben estar bien conectados tanto a la fuente de alimentación (o fuente de
alimentación) como al objeto.
Un circuito es como un círculo o un lazo. Debe comenzar y terminar en el mismo lugar. Otros cables también deben
regresar del objeto a la fuente de alimentación.

Electrónica
La palabra electrónica se puede usar para hablar de objetos que funcionan con electricidad y usan circuitos, como
teléfonos celulares y unidades de GPS. Las unidades de GPS son pequeñas computadoras que tienen mapas y
ayudan a las personas a encontrar su camino.

Los dispositivos electrónicos suelen ser pequeños y fáciles de transportar. Por lo general, usan energía de la batería,
pero algunos también se pueden enchufar a una toma de corriente.

1. Electrical current
An electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space.
It is defined as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface.  The moving particles are called charge carriers,
which may be one of several types of particles, depending on the conductor.

• Once gets the electrical current impulse, opens in 3 seconds, after these closes
automatically.

2. Electric battery

A battery is a source of electric power consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections for powering
electrical devices. When a battery is supplying power, its positive terminal is the cathode and its negative terminal is the
anode.

• The human brain can be compared to an electric battery.

3. Electric outlet

AC power plugs and sockets connect electric equipment to the alternating current (AC) mains electricity power supply in
buildings and at other sites. Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating, shape, size,
and connector type. Different standard systems of plugs and sockets are used around the world.

• Step 1 - Find an electric outlet near the Sensor having trouble communicating with
the Control Center.
 4. Electrical conductor

In physics and electrical engineering, a conductor is an object or type of material that allows the flow of charge (electric
current) in one or more directions. Materials made of metal are common electrical conductors. Electric current is generated
by the flow of negatively charged electrons, positively charged holes, and positive or negative ions in some cases.

• The gel will protect the skin, acting as an electrical conductor.

5. Insulator (electricity)

An electrical insulator is a material in which electric current does not flow freely. The atoms of the insulator have tightly bound
electrons which cannot readily move. Other materials—semiconductors and conductors—conduct electric current more easily.
The property that distinguishes an insulator is its resistivity; insulators have higher resistivity than semiconductors or
conductors. The most common examples are non-metals.

• Insulator porcelain (FISinter is information of producers)

6. Power supply

A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply
is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result, power
supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters

• Power supply through solar technology and 230V possible (optional)

7. Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different colours and
mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, but copper typically has the larger proportion.

• The material for the manufacture of mixers is preferably brass.

8. Cathode

A cathode is the electrode from which a conventional current leaves a polarized electrical device. This definition can be
recalled by using the mnemonic CCD for Cathode Current Departs. A conventional current describes the direction in which
positive charges move.

• At the cathode a liquid amalgam with mercury is formed.

9. Anode

An anode is an electrode of a polarized electrical device through which conventional current enters the device. This contrasts
with a cathode, an electrode of the device through which conventional current leaves the device. A common mnemonic is
ACID, for "anode current into device".The direction of conventional current (the flow of positive charges) in a circuit is
opposite to the direction of electron flow, so (negatively charged) electrons flow out the anode of a galvanic cell, into an
outside or external circuit connected to the cell. For example, the end of a household battery marked with a "-" (minus) is the
anode.

• Threaded anode for cooling system: Price: 9.90 €

10. Electronics
Electronics is a scientific and engineering discipline that studies and applies the principles of physics to design, create, and
operate devices that manipulate electrons and other charged particles. Electronics is a subfield of electrical engineering, but
it differs from it in that it focuses on using active devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits to control and
amplify the flow of electric current and to convert it from one form to another, such as from alternating current (AC) to direct
current (DC) or from analog to digital.