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ELECTRICITY

Excerpt from Electricity

Electricity is a type of energy that consists of the movement of electrons between two points when there is potential different between them,making it possible to generate what is known as an electric current. In electricity, the particle involved is the electron, which carries a charge designated, by convention, as negative. Thus, the various manifestations of electricity are the result of the accumulation or motion of numbers of electrons.

Electricity is just the same as it was back then: it works in the same way. What's changed is that we understand how it works now and we've figured out effective ways to use it for our ends. In other words, science (how we understand the world) has gradually helped us to produce effective technology (how we harness scientific ideas for human benefit). The steadily advancing science of electricity has led to all kinds of electrical technologies that we can no longer live without.

“And when the rain has wet the kite and twine, so that it can conduct the electric fire freely, you will find it stream out plentifully from the key on the approach of your knuckle.”

Electricity Generation

Electricity makes our lives better, brighter, and cleaner. But before it is transmitted on high-voltage power lines and then distributed to our homes and businesses, it needs to be generated by a power plant. This part focuses on electricity generation—the creation of electricity from another energy source. For example, the energy stored in chemical bonds within coal can be released via combustion and used to drive steam turbines inside power plants or the kinetic energy of the wind can be used to spin a wind turbine. The fundamentals of electricity generation (typically spinning magnets inside coils of wire) haven’t changed much over time, but the associated technologies have radically changed over time and are constantly evolving. Politics also plays a large role and influences the types of fuels we use for electricity, and politics will continue to drive major changes in the future.

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICITY

Accessible and easy to produce

Electricity can be generated from a wide variety of energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable.

Electricity can be transported over long distances and on a large scale through transmission and distribution networks.

Electricity can also be transformed into other types of energy such as light (lighting a light bulb), heat (lighting an electric radiator), or motion (using an engine).

Electric Circuits

electric circuit

The electric circuits are closed-loop or paths, forming a network of electrical components where electrons can flow. This path is made using electrical wires and is powered by a source, like a battery. The start of the point from where the electrons start flowing is called the source, whereas the point where electrons leave the electrical circuit is called the return.

Electromagnetism

When asking what electromagnetism, one of four known fundamental forces of nature, does, it is perhaps easier first to say what it doesn’t do. It doesn’t keep our feet on the ground, Earth swinging around the sun, or the stars and galaxies in the universe moving on large scales: this is the domain of gravity. It doesn’t bind fundamental particles together in the atomic nucleus or determine their decay: the strong and weak nuclear forces do that.

Electromagnetism is responsible for far more than just electricity and magnetism. It is the force that binds negatively charged electrons to positively charged atomic nuclei, ensuring that stable atoms can be formed and that chemistry – including the chemistry of life – can happen. It is also responsible for all sorts of everyday forces such as friction that ultimately result from the interactions of electrons at an atomic level.

Safety Precautions

Safety Precautions When Working with Electricity

And now, we want to pass all of our good advice on to you. It’s important to be aware of the different safety measures you should take whenever dealing with a live circuit. Never forget that electricity can be dangerous. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to contact your trained electrical professionals for any kind of job.

Don’t Use Damaged Equipment

This may be obvious. But never touch a cord that has been frayed or equipment that has been damaged. Broken plugs, splayed wires, and cracked machines all certainly fail you after some time. And they may create a dangerous situation for everyone. It is best to replace anything that is damaged or worn.

Always De-Energize

Before you even think about repairing any electrical equipment, make sure that it is de-energized. Energized equipment with a hot wire can send a dangerous current out when touched. If you have an electrical testing kit handy, make sure to use it on your machines before you give them a fix.

Never Use Water!

Water is extremely conductive. This means that the effects of an electrical current are amplified when touched by water. This is incredibly dangerous! It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t mix, but a single half-second touch can be absolutely fatal. Never, under any circumstances, touch or use electrical equipment that is wet. Likewise, do not touch anything electrical with wet hands.

Use Rubber Gloves

You should always wear safety equipment while handling electricity. Insulated rubber gloves and goggles can prevent an electrical current from passing through your body, which may end up saving your life. It’s also good not to touch electrical parts with anything conductive as it could risk damaging the electrical equipment.

Mind Your Electrical Hazards

It’s important to stay apprised of the biggest electrical hazards that you may be exposed to. Remember to never leave any exposed wires or energized parts. Don’t let any electrical current stay unguarded. Make sure to label equipment that poses a shock risk. Learn your electrical codes and make sure that other staff members receive training on electrical safety as well.

Turn Off Your Mains

If you have some electrical repair needs at home, it might be a good idea to turn off the mains around the house. Keep all switches off to avoid having to deal with live currents while you are working. If you are worried about someone else in the house switching them back on, don’t forget to leave a sign next to the circuit board!

Keep Electrical Safety a Top Priority!

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

Fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas - on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.

Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share of emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis.

7 Types of Renewable Energy

Solar

Solar energy is derived by capturing radiant energy from sunlight and converting it into heat, electricity, or hot water. Photovoltaic (PV) systems can convert direct sunlight into electricity through the use of solar cells.

Wind

Wind farms capture the energy of wind flow by using turbines and converting it into electricity. There are several forms of systems used to convert wind energy and each varies. Commercial-grade wind-powered generating systems can power many different organizations, while single-wind turbines are used to help supplement pre-existing energy organizations. Another form is utility-scale wind farms, which are purchased by contract or wholesale. Technically, wind energy is a form of solar energy. The phenomenon we call “wind” is caused by the differences in temperature in the atmosphere combined with the rotation of Earth and the geography of the planet.

Hydroelectric

Dams are what people most associate when it comes to hydroelectric power. Water flows through the dam’s turbines to produce electricity, known as pumped-storage hydropower. Run-of-river hydropower uses a channel to funnel water through rather than powering it through a dam.

Geothermal

Geothermal heat is heat that is trapped beneath the earth’s crust from the formation of the Earth 4.5 billion years ago and from radioactive decay. Sometimes large amounts of this heat escape naturally, but all at once, resulting in familiar occurrences, such as volcanic eruptions and geysers. This heat can be captured and used to produce geothermal energy by using steam that comes from the heated water pumping below the surface, which then rises to the top and can be used to operate a turbine.

Ocean

The ocean can produce two types of energy: thermal and mechanical. Ocean thermal energy relies on warm water surface temperatures to generate energy through a variety of different systems. Ocean mechanical energy uses the ebbs and flows of the tides to generate energy, which is created by the earth’s rotation and gravity from the moon.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen needs to be combined with other elements, such as oxygen to make water as it does not occur naturally as a gas on its own. When hydrogen is separated from another element it can be used for both fuel and electricity.

Biomass

Bioenergy is a renewable energy derived from biomass. Biomass is organic matter that comes from recently living plants and organisms. Using wood in your fireplace is an example of biomass that most people are familiar with.

There are various methods used to generate energy through the use of biomass. This can be done by burning biomass or harnessing methane gas which is produced by the natural decomposition of organic materials in ponds or even landfills.