Circuits and Conductors
A simple electrical circuit is a closed loop system in which electricity is provided from a source to a load or object. It is important to learn the basic electric circuit because from its design, an electrical series or an electrical network can be understood. An electrical circuit has a source of electricity. In many experiments you will be using a battery or something that can be turned into a battery.
This source has a positive and negative end. It is designed this way because electricity runs from a negative to positive direction. The positive end of the source is connected to the negative end of the load or object. The negative end of the source connected to the positive end of the load. In this manner, a loop is created, building a closed circuit in which electricity is used to power the load.
When many loads need to be powered or if a large load needs to be powered, there is a need to boost the electric source. This means creating a series of sources, known as an electrical series. The positive and negative ends of several sources are connected, leaving one positive end and one negative end to be connected to the large load or several positive and negative ends to be connected to several loads. On a massive scale, like the electricity it takes to power a city, an electrical network is built. This electrical network is more complex than the closed loop circuit.
The objects used to connect source to load are objects that conduct electricity, they are called conductors. If an object is a conductor, this means it contains movable electric charges. When a source of electricity is attached to a conductor, the electricity flows through these movable charges, simply passing through the object and onto the load, therefore providing a means of transport for electric energy, or electricity.
Common conductors include metals like copper, zinc, silver, and gold. Copper is commonly used because it is a good conductor that is available at low costs. The electrical wires connected to our homes and within our homes are all made of copper. Other non‐metal objects also have the ability to conduct such as graphite, salt solutions, and water. Human beings are conductors of electricity, as well as other animals because of the water in our bodies.
An object that does not conduct electricity is a non‐conductor. It does not conduct electricity because it lacks the movable charges needed to conduct. Knowing both what conducts and doesn't conduct electricity is important to the study of physical science because it allows you to take precaution when doing experiments. For example, rubber is a non‐conductor. This is why many students who study electricity wear rubber gloves, to avoid getting an electric shock.
Next Article: What Conducts?
