How stuff works : Electricity and Energy

ghostgtr (58)in #science • 8 years ago

Something that kids always wonder about, is the origin of electricity. Often times, this is a subject that isn't explained properly and it then causes confusion later on. It's easy to turn the light switch on or to plug your phone into the cable, but exactly HOW does it work???

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In your daily life you are surrounded by electricity. Even if you don't have electricity at home, you have probably listened to the radio or taken a ride in a car. Both of these use some form of electricity. Electric and electronic control systems have made our lives easier and more comfortable.

Electricity makes our lives easier in many ways. Without electricity there would be no computers, television sets, kettles, refrigerators, radios, DVD players, or other appliances that make our lives easier or more interesting.

Where does electricity come from?

Electricity is generated at large power stations. From the power stations, electricity is transported along high-voltage cables to substations. From the substations, electricity flows to our homes, schools, shops and other buildings.

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What is electricity?

Electricity is a form of energy. The energy comes from millions of electrons that move around.

Everything is made up of atoms. The tiny parts of atoms are called electrons. When the electrons move, electricity is made. This flow of electrons is called an electric current.

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There are two types of electric current:

Alternating current (AC) and
Direct current (DC).

Alternating current or current electricity is the electricity that flows through cables to our homes.

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Stoves
Toasters
Kettles
Television sets
Computers
There are all examples of electric devices that work with alternating current.

Direct current comes from cells or batteries.

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A battery is made up of two or more cells. Inside a cell are chemicals that make electricity

Input, process and output:

Energy changes from one type of energy to another all the time. When an activity happens or work is done, there is an input of energy and an output of energy.
Input energy is needed for the activity to happen or for the work to be done (the process), and this input energy can change to another type of energy. The result of the activity or work is the output.

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Transformation happens when the output energy is different to the input energy.

All circuits have an input, a process and an output. For example, when you press the switch of a torch, a current runs through the circuit and the light shines.

The switch is pressed : Input
The current runs through the circuit : Process
The light shines : Output