I was having a really hard time with one aspect (okay, a few aspects) of the Electron Transport Chain.
Quickly, the ETC is a process by which most cells manufacture energy storage molecules called ATP.
The whole point of the ETC is twofold: first, to move electrons across a series of complexes along a membrane (eukaryotes -> mitochondria; prokaryotes -> extra-membrane space); second, the action of the electrons "pumps" protons across the membrane which creates a proton gradient.
The point of having a proton pump that uses the energy released by the passage of electrons enables the process without expending chemical energy. Rather, it uses the attractive forces between electrons and protons through special proteins.
NADH called an "electron carrier," although it actually contributes protons to the process, as well. The NADH drops two electrons into a protein complex. In a separate action, the complex is then able to take a hydrogen proton (the H in NADH) and, using attractive forces, pull it across the membrane space.
By doing so, the electrons are used to pull the electrons to the ATP synthase complex where protons are forced back through the membrane and are picked up by an ADP to create a molecule of ATP.
If you care to read more, here's a good source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26904/
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