Chapter 1
STATIC
ELECTRICITY
Electricity is all around us. We use it every day, whether we’re at home, at school, or in the car. It’s hard to imagine a day without electricity. But what, exactly, is electricity? The simple answer is that electricity is a form of energy caused by the movement of tiny particles called electrons. But what are electrons? Electrons are tiny particles found in atoms. Everything is made up of atoms. These atoms combine in different ways to make trees, computers, the air, animals, rocks—everything, including you! ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are some ways we can see or experience static electricity? 9
