How ELECTRICITY works - working principle
The Engineering Mindset・2 minutes read
Atoms make up all materials with a nucleus and orbiting electrons, while conductors like metals facilitate electron flow, creating electricity when connected in a circuit with voltage pushing electrons and current measuring the flow. Resistance limits electron movement, electromagnetic fields are produced by current passing through coils, and transformers adjust voltage levels through coil induction.
Insights
- Atoms are composed of a nucleus with neutrons and protons, surrounded by electrons in orbital shells. Conductors like metals allow electron flow, while insulators impede it.
- Voltage propels electrons in circuits, measured in volts, while current signifies electron movement, measured in amps. Resistance hinders electron flow, affected by material, temperature, and wire properties.
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Recent questions
What are atoms and their components?
Atoms are the fundamental units of matter, composed of a nucleus containing neutrons and protons, surrounded by orbital shells with electrons.
How do conductors differ from insulators?
Conductors like metals allow electrons to move freely, while insulators such as glass and rubber do not permit the flow of electrons.
What is the relationship between voltage and electrons in a circuit?
Voltage is the force that drives electrons in a circuit, measured in volts, where one volt equals one joule per coulomb, influencing the movement of electrons.
What is current and how is it measured?
Current is the flow of electrons in a circuit, quantified in amperes (amps), with one amp representing a group of around 6.24 billion electrons passing through in one second.
How do transformers function in altering voltage levels?
Transformers utilize coils to induce voltage between primary and secondary coils, adjusting voltage levels by varying the number of coils, facilitating the transformation of electrical energy.
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Summary
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Understanding Electricity: Atoms, Conductors, and Circuits
- Atoms are the basic building blocks of all materials, consisting of a nucleus with neutrons and protons, and orbital shells with electrons.
- Conductors like metals allow electrons to flow freely, while insulators like glass and rubber do not.
- Connecting a copper cable to a power source like a battery causes electrons to flow in a closed circuit, creating electricity.
- Voltage is the force pushing electrons in a circuit, measured in volts, with one volt equaling one joule per coulomb.
- Current is the flow of electrons in a circuit, measured in amps, with one amp being a group of approximately 6.24 billion electrons passing in one second.
- Resistance restricts electron flow in a circuit, influenced by material type, temperature, and wire length and thickness.
- Electromagnetic fields are generated when current passes through a wire coil, intensifying with more turns and current, forming electromagnets and induction motors.
- Transformers use coils to induce voltage between primary and secondary coils, altering voltage levels by adjusting coil amounts.
