What is Electricity?
Electricity is a mysterious force. We can’t see it like we see the sun. We can’t hold it like coal. We know when it is working, but it is hard to know exactly what it is.

What are atoms?
Everything is made of atoms: stars, tree, animals, and people. Atoms are the building blocks of the universe. They are very, very tiny particles. Millions of atoms would fit on the head of a pin. An atom looks like the sun with planets spinning around it. The center is the nucleus. It is made of tiny protons and neutrons. Electrons move around the nucleus in clouds, or shells, far from the nucleus. When an atom is in balance, it has the same number of protons and electrons. It can have a different number of neutrons.

• Protons and Electrons Attract Each Other
  Electrons stay in their shells because a special force holds them there. Protons and electrons are attracted to each other. We say protons have a positive charge (+) and the electrons have a negative charge (-). Opposite charges attract each other.
• Electricity is Moving Electrons
  The electrons near the nucleus are held tight to the atom. Sometimes, the ones farthest away are not. We can push some of these electrons out of their shells. We can move them. Moving electrons are called electricity.

How we get electricity?
The power plant makes electricity. The electricity flows through transmission lines held up by power towers. The transmission lines carry large amounts of electricity to electric poles in cities. Distribution lines carry smaller amounts of electricity from the electric poles to houses and businesses.

Electrical Safety
Electricity is amazing. We use it everyday. It gives us heat and light and runs our TV, DVD’s, computers and refrigerators. Electricity can be dangerous. It can cause fires and injuries, even death. Here are some tips to remind around electricity.

• Don’t put anything into an outlet except a plug.
• Don’t pull on the cord to unplug an appliance, hold the plug and pull.
• Dry your hands before you plug in or unplug a cord.
• If a plug is broken or a cord is cut or frayed, don’t use it.
• Turn off a light or unplug it before changing a light bulb.
• Keep appliances away from water. Don’t use a hair dryer if there is water in the sink.
• If there’s a big storm, turn off the TV and computer.
• Don’t touch power lines.
• Some power lines are buried in the ground. Call before you dig.
• Don’t fly kites near power lines.
• Don’t climb a tree near power lines.

Electricity Pioneers

Ben Franklin credited with discovering electricity through his famous kite-flying experiment.	Alessandro Volta, an Italian scientist created the first electric cell. It is in his honor that we measure battery power in volts.
Michael Faraday, an English scientist was the first one to realize that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire.	Thomas Edison designed and built the first electric power plant that was able to produce electricity and carry it to people’s homes. The Pearl Street Power Station started on September 4, 1882 in New York City.

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Jay County REMC provides in school education about electricity safety. Call us if you would like Jay REMC to come to your school.

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