Electricity & Chemistry Our Nervous System only works thanks to electricity!

Electricity & Electricity & ChemistryChemistry

Our Nervous System only Our Nervous System only works thanks to electricity!works thanks to electricity!

Electricity & ChemistryElectricity & Chemistry

Electricity is the Electricity is the movement of movement of electrons from electrons from negative to negative to positivepositive

Electricity creates Electricity creates an an electrical electrical dischargedischarge or an or an electrical currentelectrical current


Electrical potential (voltage) is Electrical potential (voltage) is how much energy can transfer how much energy can transfer from the negative side of a from the negative side of a battery to the positive side. battery to the positive side.

This potential energy is in the This potential energy is in the form of electrons form of electrons

(-) (+)

Electricity & Chemistry Electricity & Chemistry

Potential difference is measured Potential difference is measured in Voltsin Volts

The more potential difference, the The more potential difference, the higher the voltage.higher the voltage.

1.5 volts6 volts

9 volts



In the Human BodyIn the Human Body Nerve Cells (called neurons) send Nerve Cells (called neurons) send

messages around your bodymessages around your body These messages will do These messages will do

everything from move muscles to everything from move muscles to produce brain signalsproduce brain signals


Some Chemicals in the body are Some Chemicals in the body are electrically chargedelectrically charged (negative or (negative or positive) positive)

JUST LIKE THE BATTERYJUST LIKE THE BATTERY

Na(+) Cl(-)


The important electrically The important electrically charged chemicals for the charged chemicals for the nervous system are:nervous system are:– Sodium (positive)Sodium (positive)– Potassium (positive)Potassium (positive)– Calcium (positive)Calcium (positive)– Chloride (negative)Chloride (negative)


Neurons, when not in use, sit, Neurons, when not in use, sit, waiting to be usedwaiting to be used

JUST LIKE A BATTERYJUST LIKE A BATTERY The inside of the neuron has a The inside of the neuron has a

negative charge, whereas the negative charge, whereas the outside of the neuron has a outside of the neuron has a positive chargepositive charge

JUST LIKE A BATTERYJUST LIKE A BATTERY


Outside of the Nerve Cell

Inside of the Nerve Cell


Battery Nerve Cell


Potential DifferencePotential Difference

Battery:

1.5 volt – 9 volt

Neuron:

-70 millivolts (mV)

= 0.07 volts


As a chemical current flows in or As a chemical current flows in or out of the cell, it creates an out of the cell, it creates an increase in voltage increase in voltage

JUST LIKE A BATTERY


The Physics of electricity have The Physics of electricity have been found to play a part in how been found to play a part in how our body works.our body works.

Electricity and Electricity and Chemistry are Chemistry are relatedrelated

Documents

Electricity & Chemistry Our Nervous System only works thanks to electricity!