At the bottom of the molecular structure are atoms, atoms make up everything we know including ourselves. A atom consists of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, around that in orbits that circle around the nucleus are electrons. The numbers of protons / neutrons in the nucleus as well as electrons in rings / orbits vary depending on what kind of element / material it is.

Neutron - No Charge
Proton - Positive Charge
Electron - Negative Charge

Certain materials are made up of atoms that have what is known as Valence electrons in the outer most orbit and as such can easily (with some force) be dislodged into the next atom which in turn can do the same, these materials are considered good conductors to the flow of electricity.

Certain other materials do not have Valence electrons and the atomic structure is so tightly  bound that dislodging an electron into the next atom is not possible, these materials are therefore considered good insulators from the flow of electricity.

Valence meaning electrons not tightly bound and can be kicked out of there orbit.

Scientists in Sweden film moving electron for the first time

Electricity is the movement of electrons from one atom to another along a  conducting pathway.

Imagine walking or running down a hallway. Imagine you are alone or with only very few people.

Hardly any one in your way and the task of getting to the other end extremely easy right?

Now substitute that hallway with a conductor wire carrying the movement of electrons down it. Considering not much volume, no problem right?

Now consider yourself walking or running down a hallway of the same width crowded with large volume of people, not as easy right? You are rubbing on each other brushing the walls not such a easy task as when the volume was small.

Now imagine the large volume of electrons moving down a conductor wire. Just like there was a resistance to the movement of crowded people in a hallway that is too narrow and not meant to move that many people quickly, there is resistance when trying to move a large volume of electrons with a wire that is too small, resistance is like friction and friction creates heat which causes fires.

To reduce the strain with electrical conductors you need to increase the size of the wire in order to reduce the resistance - giving move wire space for the volume of electrons required to be moved in a certain time period.

Social Media Links

Help spread our popularity, get the word out.