Electric Basics and Static Electricity
Electric current is simply electrons (tiny negative particles) flowing through materials that allow them to move freely. Conducting materials like copper wire let electrons zip through easily, whilst electrical insulators like plastic block their path completely.
Static electricity happens when electrons get trapped on insulating materials and can't move - that's why you sometimes get zapped by your clothes! The key rule here is simple: opposite charges attract each other, whilst like charges push apart.
Voltage measures how much energy each unit of charge carries around a circuit. Think of it like water pressure in pipes. Current tells you how much charge flows per second, whilst resistance shows how much the circuit fights against that flow.
Quick Test: Try the balloon experiment - rub it on your hair, then hold it near a slow-running tap. The negatively charged balloon will bend the water stream towards it!
