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Definition
Electricity is a flow
of charged particles, which may be
electrons or ions.
(If you are not sure what electrons or
ions are,
see GCSE Chemistry at electrons or ions).
In chemistry, ions which
are free to move will conduct electricity
during electrolysis.
In physics, we are dealing with
electricity as a flow of electrons.
A cell uses chemical reactions to
make electricity.
In the circuit below, electricity will flow
from the cell (or battery),
through the lamp (light bulb) and back to the cell.
There is a difference between a cell and a battery.
In every-day life, we use the word "battery".
In physics, one "battery" on its own
is called a cell.
Two or more
cells which are joined together
are called a battery.
The word "battery" is used to mean "collection".
A collection of cells is called a battery of
cells.
A collection of hens is called a battery of
hens
(but they won't
light the lamp, no matter how
you wire them)!
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