Electricity
Electricity is the flow of electrons. To understand electricity we need to look at atoms. Atoms have a nucleus that contains protons (positive charged particles) and neutrons (neutral particles). Atoms also have electrons (negative charged particles) that zip around the nucleus in orbitals (circles around the nucleus). Because each atom normally has an equal number of protons and electrons, the atom is electrically neutral. But if there is an imbalance in the numbers, the atom is considered to be electrically charged.
An imbalance occurs when electrons are added or removed from an orbital of an atom. The electrons from these atoms will naturally flow from areas of more energy to areas of less energy forming an electric current. Electrical currents run in closed pathways called circuits from an area of high energy to an area of low energy. Along that circuit you can have appliances, lights, sockets, etc., which tap into the flow of electricity.
Direct Current (DC) vs. Alternating Current (AC)
Direct current is the type of electricity that comes straight out of the power plant. It’s potent electricity where the electrons are flowing in one direction only. A battery produces direct current. By the time it gets to your house, it has been changed to alternating current. Alternating current means the flow of electrons rapidly changes from one direction to the other about a relatively fixed point. This is done since electric energy in the form of AC can be transmitted great distances. Household alternating current is usually measured at 60-Hertz cycles per second.
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