Electricity
Electricity –
Electricity is the flow of tiny particles called electrons and protons. It can also mean the energy you get when electrons flow from place to place.
You can see electricity in nature in a bolt of lightning. Lightning is a large number of electrons flowing through air all at once, releasing a huge amount of energy. Have you ever had a bad hair day? It could be static electricity causing your hair to stand on end. Many things around your house use electricity. Electricity that is generated can be controlled and sent through wires. Electricity is used to power lights, computers, air conditioners, heaters, TVs and many other appliances in our homes. Look around your house and see what you can find that uses electricity.
Please be careful... electricity can hurt you. The current voltage that comes into our homes can hurt or even kill a person.
Simple Circuit
A circuit is a complete path that electricity can flow. It must include a source of electricity, such as a battery. Materials that allow electric current to pass through, such as a copper wire can be connected to the positive and negative ends of the battery to create a circuit.
Visit this website and try to make a Salty Circuit! If you try to make a salty circuit make sure that you don't leave any gaps or your circuit won't work!
Component -
What is a component?
A component is a part or element of a larger whole, especially a part of a machine or vehicle.
What is an electronic circuit?
An electronic circuit is composed of individual electronic components, such as resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes, connected by conductive wires or traces through which electric current can flow.
Every circuit is comprised of three major components:
a conductive "path," such as wire, or printed etches on a circuit board;
a "source" of electrical power, such as a battery or household wall outlet, and,
a "load" that needs electrical power to operate, such as a lamp.
Identify Insulators or Conductors
An insulator is a material that electricity can't flow through easily. Materials such as, wood and plastic are great insulators. Try this website, Preschool STEAM, for a fun science activity to help little ones identify insulators and conductors. Metal is a great conductor of electricity. The electrons in metal are not held tightly to their nuclei so when the electrons move an electric current is created. Water is a good conductor of electricity.