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DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY

     An electric current is a flow of electricity and manifests its presence by the magnetic or heating effects it produces. The exact nature of an electric current is rather speculative, but according to the electron theory it is considered that electrons in motion constitute an electric current.
     The electricity that flows along the electric light wires in your home or in your radio receiver is called dynamic or current electricity. When you see an electric light, a door bell, radio transmitter or receiver or other electrical devices that we use today, always remember that they are operated by dynamic electricity.
     To generate electrical energy, a current must be forced through a circuit which means that there must be developed an electric pressure, difference of potential, e.m.f. or voltage; and a suitable conducting path (complete circuit) must be provided along which electric current can be circulated by this electric pressure.
     The electromotive force may be produced by an electric cell, battery, or a suitable machine, several types of which will be discussed later.
     According to the electron theory, it may be considered that a conducting wire is made up of many atoms with their attendant electrons moving about in a hit-or-miss manner at ordinary temperatures. If we make these electrons move in an orderly fashion in one direction, we will have an electric current. For, after all, electric current is nothing but a flow of electrons through a complete conducting circuit.
     This action may be accomplished by the familiar electric cell, batteries or an electrical generator. The cell and the generator merely produce the necessary electrical force to move the electrons through the wire in an orderly fashion. Electrons, therefore, are not made; they exist in the copper wire as free electrons and the larger the wire in diameter, the more electrons exist to move when our generator produces that electrical force to send them on their way. Their direction is always from the negative to the positive end of the conductor. It should be remembered that only the electrons travel in conductors. The atoms do not travel. If this were not so, the metals of which the various parts of an electric circuit are composed would mingle.

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Transcriber  Jennifer Ellis