Introduction to Electricity
In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first electric light bulb. Since then electricity has become an integral part of our lives. From powering the smallest of gadgets to huge machinery, electricity is an indispensable part of our existence.
What is Electricity?
Electricity is a form of energy associated with the presence and flow of electric charges.
Types of electricity
There are two forms of electricity: Static electricity and Dynamic electricity.
This segment focuses on dynamic electricity, which is defined as the flow of electric charges through a conductor.
Types of electric charges
There are two types of electric charges: positive (denoted by the ‘plus sign’) and negative (denoted by the ‘minus sign’).
Tiny particles, called subatomic particles, with an incredibly small mass, carry these charges. The positive charges are carried by particles called Protons; whereas, negative ones are carried by particles called Electrons.
Properties of electric charges
In magnets, two like poles (two north or south poles) repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.
Similarly, like charges (two positive or two negative ones) repel each other and unlike charges (a positive and a negative one) attract each other.
Positive and negative electric charges
 What is Electric current?
It is defined as the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.
In general, it is the rate of flow of negatively charged particles called electrons.
For example, a tube light works because the negatively charged electrons are moving in the wire in one direction. These charges move in one direction in the wires because of the energy supplied to them by the transformers. A flashlight also works in the same way, but here, the energy is supplied by the batteries.