Electricity

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What is electricity?

Electricity is a type of energy and moves in a 'current' through a wire, filled with tiny particles called 'electrons'. If you look at a light globe you will see the tiny wire (filament) that the electricity runs through.

Lightning is a form of electricity. It is electrons moving from one cloud to another or jumping from a cloud to the ground.

Before electricity was invented, people used candles and oil to light their homes. Wood and coal were used for heating and powering machines.

How do we make electricity?

We make electricity from other types of energy - coal, natural gas, nuclear power, wind, solar and water (hydro), also called 'primary' energy sources. Electrical power plants use one of the primary sources to make electricity. The Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme uses water and is one of the most famous electricity producers in Australia.

Batteries are used to make electricity from the chemicals inside it. These can power a torch, camera, games etc.

What is electricity used for?

	In houses, for light, heat, cooling and to run machines
	In industry to also make things
	For transport (trains, monorail, some cars)

While electricity itself is clean, the ways that it is made is sometimes harmful to the environment. Many countries are looking towards using other (alternative) ways - mainly using solar and wind power.

The Australian government is now looking at using 'nuclear' power which uses a metal called uranium that would be mined from underground. Some people believe that the waste produced from nuclear energy is very harmful to the environment. Nuclear energy is also not renewable.

Bibliography

Hunter, Rebecca "Electricity and magnetism" 2001 RSVP (Harcourt) NY

"Electricity" Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/electricity.html

Diagram also obtained from above site.