Electricity is a fundamental form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles. It encompasses the presence and flow of electric charge. In most practical cases, the charged particles involved are electrons, which carry a negative charge. However, electricity can also involve other charged particles such as positive ions or protons.
The flow of electrons is called electric current. When there is a potential difference (voltage) between two points in a conductive material, such as a wire, electrons can move from an area of higher potential (positive terminal) to an area of lower potential (negative terminal). This movement of electrons constitutes the electric current. It's important to note that electric current is the flow of charged particles, but not the flow of the charge itself. Electrons move in the opposite direction of the conventional current flow, which is from positive to negative.
Static electricity, on the other hand, refers to the imbalance of electric charge on the surface of an object. It occurs when the electrons are not flowing in a continuous path or current. In atomic terms, matter is made up of atoms, which consist of a nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) and orbiting electrons. Normally, atoms have a neutral charge, with an equal number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons. However, during certain interactions, atoms can gain or lose electrons.
In the case of static electricity, the imbalance occurs when electrons are transferred between objects, resulting in one object gaining extra electrons (negative charge) and the other object losing electrons (positive charge). This charge imbalance creates an electrostatic field and potential difference between the objects. When the charged objects come close to each other or make contact, the excess electrons can transfer, equalizing the charge between them and often resulting in a spark or discharge.
At the atomic level, static electricity is related to the redistribution of electrons within the material or between materials due to friction, rubbing, or other interactions. Electrons can be transferred from one material to another, leading to the buildup of charge imbalances and the generation of static electricity. The behavior of static electricity is governed by the principles of electrostatics, which describe the forces and interactions between electric charges at rest.
In summary, electricity is the energy associated with the movement of charged particles, predominantly electrons. The flow of electrons is called electric current, which occurs when there is a potential difference between points in a conductive material. Static electricity, on the other hand, refers to the accumulation of charge imbalances on the surface of objects, resulting in an electrostatic field. At the atomic level, static electricity involves the redistribution of electrons through interactions between materials.