Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire.
The electrons are pushed by the electric field created by the voltage difference between the two ends of the conductor. The amount of current flowing through the conductor is determined by the resistance of the conductor and the voltage difference.
The SI unit of electric current is the ampere (A), which is equal to the flow of one coulomb of charge per second.
When an electrical appliance is plugged into an outlet, the electrons flow from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive terminal. This flow of electrons is called an electric current.
The electrons flow through the wires of the appliance and into the appliance’s components, such as the light bulb or the motor. This completes the circuit and powers the appliance.
When the electricity leaves the power plant, it enters the power lines.
The power lines are made of metal, and they are often very high up off the ground.
The electricity travels along the power lines to your neighbourhood. From there, it goes to your house or apartment through underground cables. When the electricity reaches your home, it enters through the meter. The meter measures how much electricity you are using.
Once the electricity is in your home, it flows through the wiring to outlets and switches. You can control the electricity with switches. When you flip a switch, you are actually opening or closing a circuit.
The electricity flows through the circuits to light fixtures, appliances, and electronic devices. It flows through the wiring in your walls and ceiling. It even flows through the metal coils in your refrigerator and the tiny wires in your computer.
Some appliances, like toasters and hair dryers, use a lot of electricity. Others, like your television, use very little. But no matter how much electricity an appliance uses, it all travels along the same path – through the metal wires in your home.
