The New Childrens Encyclopedia

236

Electricity

Everything in the universe is made up of atoms that

we can’t see. Each atom has particles that transport an

electric charge. Electricity powers items we use every

day, from lights to computers. It is carried to our

homes by a series of cables and power plants.

CHARGED CLOUDS

Lightning strikes when static

electricity builds up in a

storm cloud. Negative charge

collects at the bottom of the

cloud, while positive charge

builds up near the top.

Eventually, the negative

charge shoots down to the

ground in a bolt of lightning.

Static electricity The buildup of

static electricity can make your hair

stand on end. If you touch the metal

dome of a Van de Graaf generator,

positive charge transfers to your body,

including your hair. The hairs repel

each other, making them stand on end.

Proton

Charge carriers Atoms contain

particles that carry electrical charge.

Protons are found in the nucleus

and carry a positive charge.

Neutrons are also found in the

nucleus, but are uncharged.

Electrons orbit around the nucleus.

The nerves inside your body

work like electric wires.

They carry messages to and

from the brain to different

parts of your body in the

form of electric signals.

Current electricity

Electrons can flow through

metals and other conductors.

This flow of electrical charge

is called current electricity,

and it can be used to light

up our homes and power

electrical devices such as

microwaves and televisions.

BATTERIES

provide power

BULBS

light up

Neutron

Electron

SCIENCE

TELL ME MORE...

Static electricity can be very handy

if you are a farmer. Crop spraying

delivers pesticide as a spray of fine

droplets. The spray

is given an electric

charge so that the

droplets repel each

other and spread

out over the crops.

236

NERVES

PAPER CLIP

acts as a switch

(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.