What is Electricity?


Advertisement


Introduction to electricity

Science believes that all matter is made up of atoms. An atom has three basic particles as protons, neutrons and electrons. Electrons are believed to move around nucleus. The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons. Electrons have negative charge. Protons have positive charge while the neutrons have neither the positive charge nor the negative charge.

 

Advertisement

The number of protons and electrons are almost equal in an atom. When the balance of electrons and protons are disturbed the electrons of an atom can be moved. The movement of the electrons creates electric current. So the electrons of an atom are moved from atom to atom and the current travels in an electric wire. However the origin of the words likes electricity, electrons and electronic emerges from the Greek dictionary. Greek word elecktor is the origin of all these words which means sun beams. Electricity is considered to be essential form of energy.

 Electricity exists from the day when world came into existence. The flash of lightning in the sky before or during the rain is also a form of electricity. The electrons are carried to the clouds with the pressure of air which then further produce flash. The generation of electricity is based on the movement of electrons which are present everywhere, even when you walk bare footed on the carpet. The electrons present there generate a mild form of electric current called static electricity. Electricity or power generation is the secondary forms of energy. The reason is that electricity is generated from the other basic forms of energy like coal, water, windmills and from nuclear energy sources mostly. Electricity is generated by transforming mechanical or chemical forms of energy into electric current. Electricity is generated by electric generators, in the water turbines mostly. Power generators are run by fuel such as oil or gas. The electricity in a generator is produced by the relationship of magnetic and electric field. When any electric conductive material is attached to the magnetic field electric current is generated. Hydro power plants are run by flowing water which is further connected to the electricity generators. To generate electricity from water power steam turbines, engines, wind turbines or gas turbines are used.

There are other forms of generating electricity as well; though they are not used worldwide for electricity generation. However still they are considered important due to their energy efficiency and economy. Electricity can also be generated from geothermal power, solar energy, windmills and biomass. Geothermal is the abundant heat present in beneath the earth. In some countries of the world the level of underground heat reaches the surface and this energy is used to produce electricity. Solar energy is taken from sunlight. Windmills are integrated on the coastal areas where the wind pressure is higher. Windmills move to produce electricity. Biomass is the technique of producing electricity from garbage, from industrial or agriculture waste etc.  Electricity is transferred over long distances with the help of transformers. The transformer was first used by George Westinghouse.  The electric current travels from cable to cable and reaches the transformers. The transformer in return turns the low voltage current to really high power electric current. The network of transmission lines further move the current to substations which again turns the high voltage electric current to low voltage current. This electricity is then transferred to utility electric units for further consumption by households, and commercial use Electricity has now become the essential component for our existence. We use electricity for cooking, washing, cooling, heating, using computer, charging battery devices and many more. Thus it is vital for survival now.

Advertisement

Important : If you like the article kindly consider sharing with your friends using links below
Note: If you are interested in advertising with us: Contact us

Related Links
- History of Electricity

 


 

Renewable Energy sources

Home | Resources | Sitemap | Contact Us | Privacy Policy