Science
What is Electricity?
Electricity is energy carried by the movement of electric charge, usually electrons flowing through a material. It powers nearly all modern technology — from light bulbs to phones — by pushing charged particles through circuits to do useful work.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains electricity.
Key things to understand
- 1Electric current is the flow of charge (usually electrons) through a conductor like copper wire.
- 2Voltage is the 'push' that drives the current; resistance is what slows it down (Ohm's law: V = I × R).
- 3Electricity can be static (built-up charge that stays put) or current (charge that flows).
- 4It's generated by converting other energy — spinning turbines from steam, wind, or water, or sunlight in solar panels.
- 5Current needs a complete loop, called a circuit, to flow.
Frequently asked questions
- What is electric current?
- It's the flow of electric charge through a conductor, measured in amperes (amps). In wires, it's mostly electrons moving.
- What's the difference between AC and DC?
- Direct current (DC) flows one way, like from a battery; alternating current (AC) reverses direction many times a second and is what comes from wall sockets.
- How is electricity made?
- Most comes from spinning a generator — turbines turned by steam, falling water, or wind — or directly from sunlight using solar panels.