The composition of matter enables electricity.

The word “matter” is a loose term used to describe the materials that objects are made of in our world.

The building blocks of “matter” are comprised of minute particles called atoms.  The atomic structure of many types of atoms have been identified by chemists.  Materials that are made of atoms of the same type are called Elements.  Scientists have identified over 100 different types.  The Russian chemist, Dmitri Mendeleev is credited with creating the first periodic table of elements

Copper, Gold and Iron are examples of metallic elements that are good conductors of electricity.

Compounds are made when elements of different types are joined to form the molecules that comprise a particular material object.  Oxygen and Hydrogen gas are both non-metallic elements.  When one oxygen atom is joined by two hydrogen atoms, the resulting compound is a molecule of water.  In multiples of millions, a raindrop or snowflake.

The atom is the energy or force that creates “matter”, but what is the atom?  It is too small to be seen or examined, although a powerful microscope was invented in the 20th Century that can detect the presence of individual atoms on the surface of metal.

The Danish scientist Bohr (Boor) theorized that the atom is like a miniature solar system, with a core that has small planets revolving around it in orbit.  In the 20th century, his theories were examined and built upon by other notable scientists and a world in crisis (WW2) raced to control the atom.  

For the purpose of this electrical discussion, a few components of an atom will be mentioned:

The Electron, the Proton and the Neutron.  Protons and Neutrons make up the core of the atom.  Electrons revolve in orbit around the core.  The correct combination of Protons, Neutrons and electrons determine the Element.   A strong nuclear force holds the core of the atom together.  The electrons orbit the core in layers (shells), the outer shell is where the valence electrons orbit the atom..  The force holding the valence electrons in their shell is weak enough to allow them to bond (Covalent bonds)with other atoms, thus creating the molecules that produce “matter”.

Nature has provided an abundance of free electrons.  A balanced atom has the same number of protons as it has electrons.  An atom becomes unbalanced when it gains an electron or loses one to another atom.

An unbalanced atom contains a “charge”;  that is, the atom will contain a negative charge if it has more electrons than protons, and will contain a positive charge if it has less electrons than protons.

A charged atom is called an “ion”.  It is the movement of these free electrons from atom to atom in matter that creates the energy we call electricity. 

The neutrons  in an atom have no charge, but they add to the “mass” of the atom.

More information about the Atom.