Monday, February 7, 2011

The Energy Transformation from a Battery to a Circuit

Electron Flow

In a simple circuit, you will find a battery (power supply), wires (conductor), and a light bulb (load).  . Normally, on the battery you will find the positive terminal on top and negative on the bottom. Wire that is attached the positive terminal is attached the the bottom of the light bulb and wire attached to the negative terminal is attached the side. With these wires connected to the battery, this creates a circuit.

Chemical energy is stored in a battery, and when this battery is attached to a circuit, the chemicals within it react. This process happens only when there is a circuit and when the electrons begin to flow. The charged electrons start out from the negative terminal and flow into the wire towards the light bulb and out because they are attracted to the positive terminal. A current is produced as the electrons make their way through the circuit.

The continuous flow of electrons into the light bulb cause it to produce light and heat. On the way to the positive terminal the electrons lose electric voltage. Once the electrons not as charged as they once were complete the circuit and reach the positive terminal they are once again recharged. The electrons travel back to the negative terminal where their electric potential and goes back to how it was normally. The electrons will  then complete the circuit again and again in the same process.

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter05.html

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