We have reached such a point in our lives that electricity is a key and fundamental element for our day to day. In modern times in which we run, we do not get the idea of lasting more than 2 hours without electricity. Since this is a very present element in our daily routines, from the moment we get up to prepare this breakfast. It is made with an electric coffee pot and a couple of pieces of toast from the toaster. Until reaching full sleep and comfort at night thanks to air conditioning (or heater in some countries).
We only need to stop for a moment and look around us or simply review our daily routines to realize that we use some electrical device to carry out our tasks. Whether they are work or academic. For these reasons and more today we will write an article to explain the definition and meaning of electricity. As well as commenting on other important aspects of the subject, without further ado in this introduction, let’s start with the post…
Electricity or Electric Power.
Defining the concept of electricity means talking a little about physical issues related to the transformation of electric charges. Don’t worry, we’ll cover the concept in a way that’s easy for most to understand. Electricity results from the set of physical phenomena that, as we mentioned before, are related to the transformation of electrical charges. To be more specific with the atomic dynamics of electrons (from there it derives its name). Electrical energy is a very versatile form of energy, so much so that it can present itself in various ways. We will specify some of the best known:
- Magnetism: Surely you’ve heard of this way of generating electrical energy before, of course… If you didn’t fall asleep in physics class. In any case, do not worry, we are going to give you a brief review. Electric charges when they are in constant motion generate magnetic fields that attract and repel magnetic materials that are in it. Thus generating an electric current.
- The Electric Charge: Atoms and molecules can be charged both negatively and positively speaking, this is called electromagnetic charge. This of course influences the way they attract or repel each other.
- Electric Fields: It must be borne in mind that electric charges generate an electric field around them even when they are stationary. This electric field can affect susceptible particles lying in it.
- Electric Current: The phenomenon known as electric current is one in which electrically charged particles can transmit their charge from one place to another through a clear conductive material.
- The Electric Potential: And last but not least we have the electric potential. The electric fields mentioned above can perform different actions that are measured in volts. This effect is known as electrical potential.
Conductive and Insulating Materials.
In the list we have shown some of the ways in which electrical energy can be generated. It is remarkable how for humanity electrical energy represents a wide range of applications. And in order to get the most out of it, the use of conductive materials is required, which allow us to better manage electricity.
After this review it is notable that the electrical properties of materials depend very much on the configuration of the electrons in the atoms. That is why materials such as copper, gold and silver are to this day the best conductors of electricity available on earth. While materials such as glass or rubber work as insulators of electricity.
Characteristics of Electricity.
Electricity has 2 fundamental characteristics when it comes to handling it and exercising its different applications. These characteristics will be described in greater depth below:
Transmission of Electrons.
The transmission of electrons consists of the journey of the same from the most distant layer of the atoms to that of a following atom. When electrons make that journey through conductive materials, their properties are affected or altered. An example of this is that it affects the temperature of the conductive material, sometimes reaching such a degree that it gets too hot and destroys the charged material. It is there when we see the sparks when a short circuit occurs.
Because our body is structured mainly by minerals and conductive components, making contact with electrical current is very dangerous, which is why it must be handled with extreme caution. If a person makes brief contact with a mild electrical source he can numb or numb the muscles in the area that made contact with the electrical source. Now in case of making contact with a major electrical source the result would be third degree burns or even death.
Accumulation of Electricity.
Another of the most striking characteristics that we frequently perceive of electricity is that it is highly cumulative. This means that it can be stored. This is how there are batteries that provide electrical energy to wireless devices. These artifacts, which we will call “accumulators”, allow electricity to be absorbed and contained inside to later be able to recover it.
Origin of Electricity.
The truth is that there is no clear origin of electricity, we can even say that it has existed since the formation of the earth. It must be borne in mind that even in the past electricity was perceived in the form of lightning or thunder. That is why there is no clear basis for its origin.
Even for years there have been animals capable of generating it, such as the thunderous of the Nile River or the famous electric eel. What we mean is that there are records from the past that document this physical phenomenon.
While the knowledge of electricity will expand in the eighteenth century after the studies of Van Musschenbroek, Cavendish, Watson and Du Fray. Then the first unifying theory of magnetism and electricity would be created in the 19th century by Maxwell in 1865. Later, electricity would be used industrially in the 20th century. Following Morse’s demonstrations in revealing the uses of electricity for remote communications.
Importance of electricity.
We want to close this article talking about the importance of electricity today. Perhaps after all that has been explained and revealed, this point will be very evident to readers, but it is undeniable that the discovery and correct management of electricity has allowed man and human society to evolve to what it is today.
As we said at the beginning of this post, life without electricity is something unthinkable for us. That could be a negative point, which has generated this dependency on it, but it is indisputable that there have been more positive contributions that it has given us, examples of this we have by amount. Industrial production, generating light, heat, the creation of electrical devices that help us in day-to-day tasks, remote communications, etc. These are just some of the benefits that electricity has given us.