Theme 2: Energy and the Environment Background Material

Key Concepts:

1. Basic Atomic Structure
   • nucleus - neutrons - protons
   • electrons

2. Basic Electrical Concepts
   • current
   • energy

3. Electric Circuits
   • simple
   • series
   • parallel

4. Sources of Electrical Energy
   a. batteries
   • wet cell
   • dry cell
   • alkaline
   • rechargeable: Nickel-Cadmium and Lithium
   b. generators
   • hand-held
   • solar - photovoltaic
   • wind
   c. wind power
   d. solar energy
   e. electric current and magnetism

5. Sources of Light
   • incandescent light bulb
   • White Light Emitting Diode (LED)

6. Ohm's Law
   • resistance
   • voltage
   • amperage

7. Nepal Light Project
   • White Light Emitting Diodes
   • Generating electricity

8. Batteries and the Environment
   • battery disposal
   • toxic properties of batteries