Part3

• Atoms are made of three particles: neutrons and protons in the nucleus, and electrons in orbital shells surrounding the nucleus
• Neutrons have no charge, protons are positively charged, and electrons are negatively charged
• Electrons flow along orbital shells around the nucleus and are attracted to the positive charge of the protons
• Atoms hold on to their electrons tightly, but some materials have loosely bound electrons in the outer valence shell, making them conductors, while others, like glass and rubber, are insulators
• In a closed circuit, electrons can flow, while in an open circuit, they cannot
• Voltage is the pushing force of electrons within a circuit, measured in volts, which is a joule per coulomb
• Current is the flow of electrons, measured in amps, where one amp equals one coulomb per second
• Resistance is a restriction to the flow of electrons in a circuit, influenced by the material, length, thickness of the wire, and temperature
• Resistance can be purposely added using resistors to protect components or create light and heat, like in incandescent light bulbs
• When a wire is wrapped in a coil, it generates a magnetic field as current passes through it, which is the basis of how electromagnets and induction motors work
• Transformers can increase or decrease voltage between coils by changing the number of coils on either side
• Capacitors store electrons within an electric field and release them when the power supply is cut, providing a temporary power source
• There are two types of current electricity: alternating current (AC) flows backwards and forwards, while direct current (DC) flows in only one direction
• AC is the most common source of power in plug sockets, while DC is provided by batteries and handheld devices
• Power electronics can convert AC to DC and vice versa, allowing for the charging and powering of devices like solar panels converting DC power to AC for homes