Energy and Electricity

Electric Current in Circuits

• current is the flow of charge around a circuit
• the charge is the electrons (negative)
• protons (positive) cannot move
• electrons in a circuit move from positive to negative
• current is NOT used up
• electric current is measured in Amperes (A)

Electric Current in Series Circuits

• current flows through the compartments and back to battery. As it passes through it gives energy to the light bulbs
• current is the same anywhere in the circuit as it has no choice of route
• current will stop flowing if there is a break in circuit

Electric Current in Parallel CIrcuits

• current flows through the components but can choose where to go (branches)
• the current splits at the junctions
• readings on ammeter are different but add up to reading on top branch
• current still flows if there is a break in the circuit

Measuring Electric Current

• a cell provides energy to power circuit
• chemical energy in cell changes to electrical energy
• electrical energy is carried to bulb by charges
• flow of charge is called electric current
• light bulb transfers electrical energy to light and thermal energy

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