From Energy to From Energy to ElectricityElectricity
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Understanding How Understanding How Electricity WorksElectricity Works
Catherine WalkerAmerican Public University
What is energy?
Energy is the ability to do work.
In fact, whenever something moves, heats, cools, grows, changes or produces light or sound,
energy is involved.
Energy is the power to change things.
Static vs. Current
There are two kinds of electricity:
•Static electricity – Imbalance of positively and negatively
charged atoms. – Electrons jump from atom to atom, releasing
energy. – Two examples of static electricity are lightning
and rubbing your feet on the carpet and then touching a doorknob.
Static vs. Current
There are two kinds of electricity:
•Current electricity – Constant flow of electrons. – Two kinds of current electricity: direct current
(DC) and alternating current (AC). • Direct current: electricity the electrons move in one
direction. Batteries produce direct current. • Alternating current: electrons flow in both
directions. Power plants produce AC electric current.
Electricity
Electricity is a secondary source of energy. That means that we must use other energy sources to make electricity.
What are the three primary energy sources
used in the U.S. to generate electricity?
Electricity
In your home, electricity runs the lights, television, toaster, and more.
What else around your home requires
electricity to operate?
A Complete Electrical Circuit
For electricity to work, you need a complete circuit.
A complete a circuit is made up of three things:
1. A source of electrons.
2. Something to use the electrons.
3. A path for the electrons to move.
Current Electricity
1. A source of electrons.
2. Something to use the electrons.
3. A path for the electrons to use.
Can you detect the three things that make up a complete circuit?
The wire in an electrical circuit is made of atoms. Atoms contain electrons.
Electrons move from one atom to another. When electrons move between atoms, a current of electricity is created.
Conductors and Insulators
Conductors
These are materials in which it is easy to get electrons to move and
provide a flow of electric current.
• Paperclip• Piece of copper• A bolt
Insulators
These are materials in which it is difficult
to get current
to flow.• Paper• Plastic• Styrofoam
What do conductors have in common?