Chemical Effects of Electric Current
Chemistry Introduction Atoms are the smallest units of matter, and they are combined together to form matter. Atoms contain charged particles. Atoms have a dense central region called the nucleus, which holds the neutrons (which are neutral) and protons (which have positive charge) . Electrons (negatively charged particles) orbit around the nucleus. As the electrons and the protons are equal in number, the atom is neutrally charged. Electrons are at varying distances from the nucleus. So the outermost electrons need the least force to be freed from an atom. Metallic elements have these "free electrons" in the outermost layer. Electric current is set up when the "free electrons" move from one atom to another. Basic Terminology Electric current: the flow of electrons from the negatively charged to the positively charged terminal in a closed circuit Conventional current: The flow of electric current from the positively charged to the negatively charged terminal in a ...