What is Electricity?
Electricity is a flow
of charged particles.
Charged particles can be
electrons or ions.
(If you are not sure what electrons or
ions are,
see GCSE Chemistry at electrons or
ions).
In chemistry, ions which
are free to move will conduct electricity
during electrolysis.
In physics, we are dealing with
electricity as a flow of electrons.
A cell uses chemical reactions to
make electricity.
In the circuit below, electricity will flow
from the cell (or battery),
through the lamp (light bulb) and back to the cell.
There is a difference between a cell and a battery.
In every-day life, we use the word "battery".
In physics, one "battery" on its own
is called a cell.
Two or more
cells that are joined together
are called a battery.
The word "battery" is used to mean "collection".
A collection of cells is called a battery of
cells.
The cells of a battery
are joined together
in series.
The positive side of one cell
touches the negative side of the next cell.
See also what happens to the voltage if cells
are in parallel.
What happens to the current if cells are in
parallel or
in series.
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