Electricity
/ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsɪti/
noun … “Flow of electric charge.”
Electricity is the phenomenon resulting from the presence and flow of electric charges, typically electrons, through a medium. It manifests as current (current), voltage (voltage), and electromagnetic fields, and it powers almost all modern devices, from lights and motors to computers and communication systems. Electricity can be harnessed in alternating current (AC) or direct current forms.
Key characteristics of Electricity include:
- Current: flow of charge, measured in amperes (A).
- Voltage: potential difference driving the flow, measured in volts (V).
- Resistance: opposition to current flow, measured in ohms (Ω).
- Power: energy delivered per unit time, measured in watts (W).
- Frequency: number of cycles per second in AC, measured in hertz (Hz).
Common applications of Electricity include powering electronics, heating, lighting, transportation, industrial machinery, and telecommunications. Understanding electricity is essential for designing circuits, energy systems, and electronic devices.
Workflow example: Simple circuit powering a light:
battery_voltage = 9
resistor = 1000
current = battery_voltage / resistor
light.power(current)
Here, electricity flows from the battery through the resistor to the light, producing illumination according to Ohm's law.
Conceptually, Electricity is like a river of tiny charges flowing through a conductive path, delivering energy wherever it travels.