Electricity Vocabulary Search

 by Carol Borcherding

Have you ever rubbed a balloon on your hair and then stuck the balloon to the wall?  Static electricity was at work!     All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms.  Each atom contains three basic parts called electrons, protons and neutrons.  Most objects normally have about the same number of electrons and protons and are electrically balanced.  Sometimes objects gain or lose electrons through friction.  When this happens the object becomes electrically charged.  If an object gains electrons when it is rubbed, it becomes positively charged. A fundamental principle of electric charges is that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.      In this unit we will investigate several  ways to create and demonstrate static electricity.        Have you ever wondered why a lamp or your television or your computer has to be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to work?  The plug completes a circuit  which allows the electric current to flow through the cord. The cord is made of conductors and insulators.  Both kinds of materials must be present in the cord for effectiveness and safety.  The wiring in your house makes use of parallel circuits  in order to operate several electrical appliances.  The lights on your Christmas tree, however, operate on a series circuit.       In this unit we will build and examine both kinds of circuits. When we have completed this unit, you will understand why one bad bulb in a string of Christmas lights can ruin the whole thing.