Basic Electricity Notes

CURRENT ELECTRICITY

The energy of moving charges (flow of electrons)

PERMANENT SOURCES Large amounts of electrical power

produced by Generators. (power plants)

TEMPORARY SOURCES - Small amounts of electrical power produced by Cells. (batteries)

ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - Battery that produces energy through a chemical reaction. (disposable)

TEMPORARY SOURCES - Continued

STORAGE CELL Battery that needs to be charged in order to

produce energy. (rechargeable)

What is Current Electricity?

Current Electricity: the flow of electrons along a pathway (wire) from negative to positive.

Negative

Circuit: (from the root word circle) A pathway for electrons that ends at the same point it starts.

Negative

Complete or Closed Circuit: A circuit in which electrons can flow and complete the path from the negative to the positive

terminal of the battery.

Negative

Incomplete or Open Circuit: A circuit in which electrons cannot flow and therefore cannot complete the path between the negative and

positive terminals of the battery because of openings or breaks.

Incomplete or Open Circuit

Electrical Device: any item used in an electric circuit.

1. Load:(L) An electrical device that uses or resists electricity.

2. Non-Load:(NL) An electrical device that does not use electricity and does not have any resistance.

3. Safety Devices: (SD) a non-load electrical device that controls the circuit.

CONDUCTOR - any material that allows electrons to flow. (metals)

NON-CONDUCTOR - any material that prevents electrons from flowing (non-metals)