The electrons are passed from atom to atom, creating an electrical current from one end to the other, just like in the picture to the left. Electricity flows through some things better than others. How well something conducts electricity is measured by its resistance. Resistance in wire depends on how thick it is, how long it is, and what it's made of. The lower the resistance of a wire, the better it conducts electricity.
Copper is used in many wires because it has a lower resistance than many other metals.
The wires in your walls, inside your lamps, and elsewhere are mostly copper. American homes use 110 volts of electric power for regular appliances. Larger appliances, like a clothes dryer or stove, use 220 volts. Some countries use 220 volts for all of their appliances and electric devices. Batteries contain stored chemical energy.