Electric current is the continuous flow of electric charges through a material. It can only exist in a complete electric circuit, which provides an unbroken path for charges to flow. Conductors are materials that allow easy flow of charges, while insulators do not allow charges to move freely. Resistance measures how difficult it is for charges to flow through a material. Series circuits have one path for current, while parallel circuits have several paths and decreased resistance.

1. CHAPTER 13 SECTION 2

2. electric current
•continuous flow of electric
charges through
a material

3. conductor
•material in which a charge
can flow easily
•ex. copper, silver

4. insulator
•charges not able to move
freely
•ex: plastic, wood

5. electric circuit
• complete,
unbroken
path through
which electric
charges can
flow

6. resistance
• measure of how difficult it is for
charges to flow through a material

7. series
circuit
only 1
path
for current
to take
advantage disadvantages
simple to
build
if 1 light goes
out-
all go out
more bulbs
added-
greater resistance

8. seriesseries
circuitcircuit

9. several paths
for current
to take
advantage
more branches
added-
decreased
resistance
if 1 light
goes out-
other stay lit

10. householdhousehold
circuits-circuits-
parallelparallel
circuitscircuits

12. What happens when an electric
current is produced?
• a continuous flow of charges
travel through a material

13. Contrast electric current and
static electricity.
• An electric current is a
continuous flow of charge.
In static electricity, charges
build up but do not flow.

14. Explain why electric current
cannot exist if an electric circuit is
broken.
• charges cannot flow because
the path is not complete

15. Define conductor and insulator.
• conductor = material through which
charges can flow through easily
• insulator = material through which
charges cannot flow through easily