Electricity arises from the behavior of charged particles inside atoms.

Electrons are attracted to the positive protons, but not all atoms hold their electrons with the same strength. The outermost shell, called the valence shell, can contain electrons that are only loosely bound. In some materials, especially metals, these electrons can move from one atom to another. Materials with freely moving electrons are called conductors, while materials whose electrons are tightly bound are called insulators, such as glass or rubber.

In a copper wire, free electrons move randomly in all directions. When the wire is connected to a closed circuit with a power source like a battery, an electric voltage is created. This voltage pushes the electrons to drift in a single direction through the wire, forming an electric current.

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