Cells
Cells generate electricity and also derives chemical reactions. One or more electrochemical cells are batteries. Every cell has two terminals namely:
1.Anode: Anode is the terminal from where the current flows in from out i.e. it provides an incoming channel for the current to enter the circuit or the device.
2.Cathode: Cathode is the terminal from where the current flows out i.e. it provides an outgoing current flow from the circuit or the device.
There are two simplest ways for cell connectivity are as follows:
Series Connection: Series connection is the connectivity of the components in a sequential array of components.
Parallel Connection: Parallel connection is the connectivity of the components alongside to other components.
Electric Circuit:
Electricity needs a path to pass from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of an electric cell.
Electricity needs a path to pass from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of an electric cell. A connection that provides a path outside an electric cell, for the electricity to pass from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the cell, is called an electrical circuit. For example, a bulb glows only when the positive terminal and the negative terminal of an electric cell are connected to the two terminals of the bulb.
If the wires from the bulb are connected to the same terminal (either positive or negative), then the bulb doesn't glow.
Sometimes, the bulb may not glow even though the connections are properly made.
This is because the flow of electricity is incomplete as the filament in the bulb is broken. A broken filament bulb is said to be fused.
A device that is used to stop the flow of electricity by breaking the circuit is called a switch. Switches have wide range of applications.
Some common types are:
Toggle switches, which are used in our houses.
Pushbutton switches, which are used in the starter of a water pump.
Joystick switches, which are used in the remote control unit of a toy car.
Electric Conductors and Insulators:
All materials do not allow electricity to pass through them.
All materials do not allow electricity to pass through them. Materials that allow electricity to pass through them are called conductors. Conductors conduct electric current. Since metals are good conductors of electricity, electric wires are made of metals. These electric wires act as conducting materials. So they are used to make electrical circuits. Some common conductors that conduct electric current are copper, silver, gold and aluminium. Copper is the most popular material used for wires. Sometimes we receive electric shocks because our bodies are also good conductors of electricity.
Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them are called insulators. Insulators oppose electric current and so they are used as protection from the dangerous effects of electricity. Some common insulators are glass, air, plastic, cotton, thermocol, wood and rubber.
Water is a good conductor of electricity, but in its purest form, called distilled water, it acts as an insulator. Distilled water is, therefore, used in batteries as an insulator.
We use various electrical appliances every day. Without the help of insulators, the use of electrical appliances is impossible. The parts of the electric appliances that we touch are covered with insulating material. For example, plugs and switches are covered with an insulating material such as plastic, and the wire attached to the plug is a metal wire, which is a conductor. So conductors and insulators work hand in hand.