Electricity is formed by the movement of electrons between atoms. In the 18th century scientists began studying electricity which led to many inventions in the 19th and 20th centuries. Thomas Edison discovered ways to produce and use electricity commercially and invented devices like the light bulb which changed modern life. Electricity is transmitted through power lines from generation stations to homes where it powers devices through electrical circuits.

1. natural
Electricity and
inventions

2. Electricity has always existed, but in the 18th century, scientists began studying
it. Many inventions resulted from their research.
When did scientists discover electricity?
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Thomas Edison discovered many ways to
produce and use electricity. His inventions, such as the electric light bulb,
changed the way we live today.

3. What’s electricity?
Electricity is a form of energy. All matter is made up of microscopic atoms.
Electricity is formed when a part of each atom, called an electron, moves
from one atom to another.

4. What’s an atom made up of?
The nucleus is made up of protons and
neutrons. The protons have a positive
electric charge.
The electrons revolve around
the nucleus. They have a
negative electric charge.

5. Static electricity is the movement of electrons between two materials.
Rubbing the balloon causes the electrons to move from the hair to
the balloon. The balloon becomes negatively charged and the hair
becomes positively charged. They attract so your hair stands on end.
What’s static electricity?

6. What’s electric current?
Electric current is the movement, or flow, of electrons between
atoms.

7. Some types of matter have electrons that move easily from one atom to
another. We call these electrical conductors, because electricity can flow
easily through them. Metals are an example of electrical conductors.
What are electrical conductors?

8. Electricity and magnetism
When electric current flows through wires, a magnetic field is produced.
This happens because negatively charged electrons are moving through
the wire.

9. Simple circuit Series circuit Parallel circuit
What are the different types of circuits?
An electric circuit is a closed loop or circle. We need circuits because
electricity will only flow if the circuit is closed. Electric circuits can be found
in every machine that uses electricity.

10. How do we represent electrical circuits?
By using symbols, we can
easily identify the
components and the type
of circuit.
Light
bulb or
lamp
Switch
‘on’
Switch
‘off’
Wire
Battery

11. How does electricity get to our homes?
From the fuse box, the electricity
travels through wires to all the
light switches and sockets in our
home.
Electricity is generated in power
stations. From the power station, the
electricity travels along big cables to
our homes. At the place where
electricity enters our house, there is a
fuse box.

12. Before scientists discovered how to use electricity, people used
candles or gas to light their homes. They cooked and heated water
over a fire.
What would life be like without electricity?

13. Thomas Edison was an American inventor. In 1879, he invented the first
light bulb that produced light for a long period of time. He also invented
the phonograph, a machine that recorded sound and the kinetoscope, the
first motion picture camera.
Who was Thomas Edison?

14. What have we learnt?
series
circuit
parallel
circuit
The three types of circuits are...
simple
circuit

15. What have we learnt?
phonograph kinetoscopeelectric light bulbs
Thomas Edison invented...