First Children's Encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley - page 239

237
Electricity
A battery.
Circuits of power
An electric circuit is a loop that electricity
can travel around. An electric current
moves through the wires in this circuit,
and lights up the bulb.
Electrical cables
Electrical cables are made of
metal and plastic. Electricity
flows through the metal (which is
called a conductor). The plastic
(which is called an insulator)
stops electricity escaping.
High voltage
Electricity can be very
dangerous. This triangle
is an international
warning symbol. It
means “Caution: risk
of electric shock”.
Lightning strikes
When electricity builds
up in one place it is
called static electricity.
A bolt of lightning is
a huge spark of static
electricity in the sky.
Food battery
Food that contains water and weak
acid will conduct electricity. In a food
battery, a chemical reaction between
the metal and the acid in the food
creates an electric current.
Rub a party balloon up and
down on your clothes. The
balloon will now stick to the
wall. This is because rubbing
it gives the balloon an
electric charge.
H
a
n
d
s
o
n
Circuits usually include an
energy source (battery)
and load (lamp).
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