How electrons become electricity.
Electrons are negatively charged particles
in atoms.
Electricity is the flow of electrons and a
force is needed to move electrons.
First we need to look at forces.
Forces either push objects apart or pull them
together.
Gravity is a force of attraction that pulls
objects together.
Imagine sitting on a bench.
The gravitational force attracts you to the
earth and the earth to you, but the bench
stops you from being pulled to the ground.
But if a boulder falls on the bench, causing
it to tip over, the force of attraction due
to gravity pulls you to the ground.
Where do electrons fit in?
Electrons move as a result of a different
force called the electromagnetic force.
This force both attracts particles with opposite
electric charges together, as well as repels
particles with the same electric charge apart.
Electricity in your house usually comes through
copper wires, which are connected to a power
station.
These wires form closed circuits which carry
electricity.
Before a switch is turned on, a circuit is
not complete and the free electrons in the
copper are moving around randomly.
After the switch is turned on, the open circuit
closes.
The difference in electrical charge at either
end of the power station causes electrons
to move in the same direction.
Like charges repel, opposite charges attract.
The flow of electrons is electricity.
[zapping sound]
Check out our other videos about electricity,
fuel and heat.
