What is electricity?

Electricity is an energy. This energy can be used to power electrical items such as toasters, kettles, cookers, televisions and computer
tablets.
Electrical energy is caused by electrons (the particles in atoms) moving about to make a current.

Electricity can be created in a variety of ways such as:

• burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) at power stations,

• using wind power generated by wind turbines,
• using solar power generated by the sun,
• using water power (sometimes called hydropower) generated by running or falling water.
• Electricity is transported to our homes, schools and places of work through wires and cables.

Electricity can also be stored in batteries (sometimes called cells).

A simple series electrical circuit is a circuit for electricity to flow around as shown in the diagram. It's simple because the circuit is a
single wire running from a battery to a bulb and back again.

The diagram shows a battery (cell) with wires connecting it to the bulb.

Current: this is the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit (basically a flow of electrons moving in a loop in the circuit). It
can be measured using an ammeter and measured in amps.

Voltage: is the difference in electrical energy between two parts of a circuit. It can be measured using a volt meter and is measured in
volts. The bigger the voltage, the bigger the current. Large electrical items need a higher electrical voltage and current than smaller
items.

Some objects conduct electricity; this means they allow electricity to flow through them easily. These are called conductors. Metal
items such as spoons, paperclips and coins are good conductors.

Other objects do not allow electricity to flow through them easily; these are called insulators. Rubber, paper and some plastics are
examples of insulators.

Semiconductors like silicon conduct or block electricity at different times and are used in electronics