4th grade ch. 13 sec. 2 how do electric charges flow

CHAPTER 13 SECTION 2

electric current•continuous flow of electric charges through a material

conductor•material in which a charge can flow easily

•ex. copper, silver

insulator• charges not able to move

freely• ex: plastic, wood

electric circuit• complete,

unbroken path through which electric charges can flow

resistance• measure of how difficult it is for

charges to flow through a material

seriescircuit

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

series series circuitcircuit

several pathsfor current

to takeadvantage

more branches added-

decreased resistance

if 1 light goes out-

other stay lit

household household circuits-circuits-parallel parallel circuitscircuits

What happens when an electric current is produced?

• a continuous flow of charges travel through a material

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.

Explain why electric current cannot exist if an electric circuit is

broken.

• charges cannot flow because the path is not complete

Define conductor and insulator.

• conductor = material through which charges can flow through easily

• insulator = material through which charges cannot flow through easily