How is Electricity different from Magnetism?
• When we say “electricity” most often we really mean current. It is actually the electrical current that flows through wires to deliver electrical power to our appliances. Current is invisible, we can only tell it is flowing by its effects. And, to explain the behavior of electrical current, we usually use a model. There are two types of charged electrical particles – positive and negative. If a material is not charged, it may be “neutral.” However, we must be careful to do some experiments to determine how much of a charge our object has because it is not only “on or off” but an amount also. • Static charges work differently, they may move around a bit. But, they do not “flow” like current. • Here is an example – Blow up two small balloons. • Tie them with a piece of string and tie them up on a clothesline (if it is not too windy) or to a shower rod. • Place them about one foot apart. (Do not let them touch). • Rub one balloon on your hair and bring it to close to the other balloon.
