Electrical energy can be produced by a generator or by a battery.

A torch battery should really be called a dry cell. The common torch battery consists of a zinc case which contains a paste of chemicals. In the centre of this is a carbon rod.

The energy in the cell is stored in the chemicals, and is called 'chemical energy'.

The chemicals in the paste keep taking electrons from the carbon rod and giving them to the zinc case. Hence, there is a build-up of electric charge on the zinc.


When wires are connected to the cell, the electrons can flow from the zinc (negative) end, through the globe to the carbon (positive) end.

The electrons effectively transfer the energy from the cell to the globe. This transfer of energy is called 'electricity'.