Electricity: Understanding the Basics of Charge and Circuits

Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles. It powers our world and is integral to modern technology, yet it was only harnessed for human use relatively recently in history.

Charge is a property of matter. There are two types: positive and negative. Like charges repel, unlike attract. Electrons carry a negative charge, while protons are positive. Neutrons are neutral, adding balance to an atom's nucleus.

Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points. It's the 'push' that makes electric charges move. Measured in volts, it's analogous to water pressure in pipes, dictating the flow of electrons in a circuit.

Electric current is the rate at which charge flows. Measured in amperes (amps), direct current (DC) flows in one direction, while alternating current (AC) changes direction periodically. AC is commonly used in power systems for efficiency over long distances.

Resistors impede the flow of electrical current, measured in ohms. They're crucial for managing the current in a circuit. A material's resistance depends on its composition, length, thickness, and temperature; a fact exploited in various electronic components.

Ohm's Law is fundamental to understanding electrical circuits. It states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points. Ohm's Law is represented as I = V/R.

Beyond resistors, circuits can contain capacitors and inductors (the 'LC' in 'RLC'). Capacitors store charge, while inductors store energy in a magnetic field. These components create complex behaviors in AC circuits, influencing current and voltage over time.