Electricty

Alphabetized Index

Electricty

Subject Index - Science

Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. The electricity we use in our homes comes from a primary source like oil, nuclear power, coal, natural gas, the sun, or other natural sources. Water and wind are other sources of energy, called mechanical energy. We use electricity every day for heat, light and power.
Before we began generating electricity, over 100 years ago, fireplaces and pot-belly stoves kept homes warm, kerosene lamps and candles lit homes and food was kept cool in iceboxes or underground storage cellars.

Benjamin Franklin was the first person to help people understand the principles of electricity and Thomas Edison changed the world with his invention of the electric light bulb.