Circuits,voltage
and current |
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| When discussing electricity we often use the words circuit, voltage and current. | |
| What is a circuit? Well, a circuit is simply a path that electricity flows through. It is usually made of insulated wire. Plastic is used to coat the wire and prevent electricity from escaping. Notice how electricity moves through the circuit and back to the source. When a break occurs in the circuit flow of electricity stops. We call this an open circuit. |  |
| Current is simply the flow of electrical charge along the circuit per time. The actual name for the little particles that carry electrical charge is known as electrons. In order to explain current and voltage we will use an analogy. The animation on the right shows miniature trucks carrying bags of energy from the battery to a light globe. The light globe takes the bags of energy and uses this energy to glow. |  |
When returning to the battery the trucks have no more bags of energy. Each truck has lost 6 bags of energy as it moves through the light globe. Now consider each truck to be an electron carrying energy or voltage given to it by the battery. The flow of trucks, or electrons, along the road is called a current. |
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