Science
How does electricity work?
Electricity works through the flow of electric charge — usually electrons moving through a conductor like a wire. A voltage 'pushes' the charge, current is the rate of flow, and that moving charge delivers energy to power devices.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how electricity works.
Step by step
- 1Voltage is the 'push' (potential difference) that drives charge.
- 2Current is the rate of charge flow, measured in amperes.
- 3Resistance opposes the flow; Ohm's law links the three (V = I × R).
- 4A complete circuit (a continuous loop) is needed for current to flow.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between voltage and current?
- Voltage is the push that drives charge; current is the amount of charge actually flowing per second.
- Why do you need a complete circuit?
- Charge only flows in a continuous loop; break the loop and the current stops.
- What is Ohm's law?
- V = I × R: voltage equals current times resistance — the basic relationship in a circuit.