Electrical energy and electricity are two different things. In a DC circuit, electricity (the forward movement of electrons) moves slowly in a complete circle. The electrical energy wave, moves very fast through the circuit from the source to the load, but does not return to the source. In a flashlight, for example, the electricity moves very slowly in a loop through the bulb and back out. The electrical energy goes to the filament very quickly and is used up to produce heat and light.
In an AC circuit, the electricity, or electron movement, is in a back and forth motion, which is why it's called alternating current. The electrical energy wave moves very fast across the circuit at the speed of light. And the same is said with AC, when the electrical energy wave is sent to a bulb filament, the electrical energy is used, or destroyed, to produce light.
There are also some misconceptions about electrons.
In response to Alan's last post, electrons do orbit the nucleus similar to planets orbiting the sun. They just don't take the same path over and again. The path changes with each revolution. The only difference is the outer electron in a conductive element's atoms. I'm referring the way they move from atom to atom.
In response to Radar's, you're getting into something completely different here. Atoms do not prefer exactly 8 electrons in it's outer shell. All electrons and protons are identical from atom to atom. The different numbers of protons and electrons in an atom is what creates different elements. You change this number, and you have a different element. When atoms combine chemically, they create molecules. Not all atoms will accept this chemical combination. When you combine molecules to form a substance that occupies space and has weight, you have created matter.
I would also like to say that anything that has motion, uses some form of energy to produce that motion. The earth rotating the sun does use energy. When you move your finger to click your mouse button, energy is used.
Edited for spelling
[This message has been edited by XtheEdgeX (edited 01-28-2006).]
