Molly Ayala
Electrical phenomena are commonplace and unusual events that illuminate the principles of electricity and are explained by them. They are a subset of electromagnetic phenomena. Electrical phenomena can be natural, such as lightning, or man-made, like electric shocks. Some electrical phenomena are still not fully understood, such as ball lightning, which is a glowing, electrical sphere that materializes during thunderstorms and disappears after a few moments. Another example is St. Elmo's Fire, a lightning strike that occurs after massive volcanic eruptions. While it is believed that plumes of ash create enough static electricity to generate these storms, there is still no consensus on the cause.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| All electrical phenomena | Positive and negative electric charges |
| Electrical phenomena caused by contact | Contact electrification |
| Triboelectric effect | |
| Electrical phenomena caused by light exposure | Photovoltaic effect |
| Electrical phenomena caused by mechanical stress | Piezoelectric effect |
| Electrical phenomena caused by heating | Pyroelectric effect |
| Electrical phenomena caused by high temperatures | Plasma |
| Electrical phenomena caused by alternating current | Proximity effect |
| Electrical phenomena caused by reduction-oxidation reaction | Redox |
| Electrical phenomena caused by biological organisms | Bioelectrogenesis |
| Electrical phenomena caused by electromagnetic fields | Inductance |
| Electrical phenomena caused by electrical current | Electroluminescence |
| Electrical phenomena caused by static electricity | Corona effect, Wire Corona, St. Elmo's Fire, Ball Lightning |
| Electrical phenomena caused by volcanic eruptions | Dirty thunderstorms |
| Electrical phenomena caused by methane gas and high winds | Catatumbo lightning, also known as "The Everlasting Storm" |
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What You'll Learn
- Triboelectric effect: objects become electrically charged after contact then separation
- Bioelectrogenesis: electricity generation by living organisms
- Electric shock: the physiological reaction of an organism to electric current
- St. Elmo's Fire: lightning strikes after volcanic eruptions
- Plasma: occurs when gas is heated to very high temperatures, disassociating into positive and negative charges
Triboelectric effect: objects become electrically charged after contact then separation
The triboelectric effect, also known as triboelectricity, triboelectric charging, triboelectrification, or tribocharging, is a type of contact electrification. It describes the transfer of electric charge between two objects when they come into contact or slide against each other, and become electrically charged after they separate. This can occur with different combinations of solids, liquids, and gases, such as a shoe sole on a carpet, or two pieces of the same material.
The triboelectric effect can be explained by the transfer of electrons from one object to the other. This transfer is facilitated by friction when two materials are rubbed together, for example, amber with fur or glass with silk. The friction increases the effect due to the frequent contact and separation. This electron transfer is not immediately reversible, so the excess electrons in one type of molecule remain after separation, while the other type of molecule has a deficit of electrons, resulting in a charge imbalance.
The triboelectric effect is responsible for most of the static electricity we encounter in our daily lives. For example, when you take a synthetic shirt out of a clothes dryer, or when you comb your hair. The triboelectric effect can be unpredictable as it depends on many factors that are often not controlled, such as humidity. Increased humidity generally leads to a decrease in the magnitude of triboelectric charging. However, some experiments show that moderate humidity can lead to increased charging compared to extremely dry conditions.
The triboelectric effect has practical applications, such as in the separation of different powders using electrostatic separation. It is also a potential hazard in certain industries, such as grain elevators, where static discharge could lead to a dust explosion.
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Bioelectrogenesis: electricity generation by living organisms
Electrical phenomena are caused by the two types of electric charge: positive and negative. Bioelectrogenesis is one such electrical phenomenon, wherein electricity is generated by living organisms.
One example of bioelectrogenesis is the platypus, which has 40,000 electric sensors on its beak that it uses to track prey. Similarly, some rays can generate their own electric fields, producing up to 220 volts when threatened. These rays are solar-powered, with their brown stripes catching sunlight and their yellow stripes converting and storing energy.
Another intriguing instance of bioelectrogenesis is observed in bees. During the hottest part of the day, hornets, which are solar-powered, actively convert and store energy from the sun. This energy conversion results in the generation of electricity, showcasing the fascinating ability of these living organisms to harness and utilise electrical power.
While the exact mechanisms behind bioelectrogenesis in various organisms remain a subject of ongoing research, it is clear that living creatures, from platypuses to rays and hornets, possess unique electrical capabilities that contribute to their survival and adaptation in their respective environments.
Furthermore, electrical phenomena extend beyond the animal kingdom and encompass other fascinating occurrences. For instance, volcanic eruptions can lead to the creation of electrical storms, resulting in lightning bolts within the plume of ash and gases released during the eruption. This interplay between geological events and electrical phenomena adds another layer to our understanding of the diverse manifestations of electricity in nature.
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Electric shock: the physiological reaction of an organism to electric current
Electrical phenomena are a division of electromagnetic phenomena. Electric shock is one such phenomenon, defined as the physiological reaction of a biological organism to the passage of electric current through its body.
Electric shock occurs when a person becomes part of, or completes, an electrical circuit. This requires contact at two points of different voltage. The contact does not need to be with a wire, as electric current can pass through the body via air, water, earth, and man-made conductive materials.
The physiological effects of an electric shock are determined by the amount of electric current that flows through the body. Relatively small amounts of current are needed to cause physiological effects, and the effects are varied. Most effects result from the heating of tissues and stimulation of muscles and nerves. The stimulation of nerves and muscles can cause problems ranging from a fall due to pain to respiratory or cardiac arrest. Electric current can also cause lesions to the skin, trauma to organs, and sometimes death.
The severity of the shock is dependent on several factors: the amount of current, voltage, resistance of the tissue, and the time that the voltage is applied. At 500 V or more, high resistance in the outer layer of the skin breaks down, lowering the body's resistance to current flow. This results in a larger amount of current flowing through the body, which can cause deep tissue injury to muscles, nerves, and other structures.
There are two known hazards of electricity: thermal and shock. A thermal hazard occurs when excessive electric power causes undesired thermal effects, such as starting a fire. A shock hazard occurs when an electric current passes through a person, ranging in severity from painful but harmless shocks to lethal shocks that stop the heart.
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St. Elmo's Fire: lightning strikes after volcanic eruptions
Electrical phenomena are caused by electric charges. These charges can be produced by various sources, such as light exposure, mechanical stress, high temperatures, and chemical reactions. One such electrical phenomenon is St. Elmo's Fire, a weather phenomenon involving a gap in electrical charge. It often occurs near pointed objects, like masts, spires, chimneys, or animal horns, during thunderstorms or volcanic eruptions.
St. Elmo's Fire is named after St. Erasmus of Formia, also known as St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors. The phenomenon is characterized by a blue or violet glow, similar to the mechanism that makes neon lights shine. It is caused by a corona discharge, which occurs when there is a significant imbalance in electrical charge, leading to molecules tearing apart and emitting light. This light is produced by the nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere reacting with the electrical discharge.
St. Elmo's Fire is often observed during thunderstorms, but it can also occur after volcanic eruptions. These eruptions create massive plumes of ash that generate static electricity, leading to "dirty thunderstorms." The phenomenon can appear on the masts of ships, the wings of airplanes, and even the horns of cattle, as depicted in the 1989-1990 Western miniseries "Lonesome Dove."
While St. Elmo's Fire is not a form of lightning, it can indicate an imminent lightning strike. It is a sparking phenomenon, like a shot of electrons into the air, and its occurrence is often associated with thunderstorms, which create an electrically charged atmosphere.
St. Elmo's Fire has been a source of fascination for centuries, with early observers like sailors interpreting it as a favorable omen or a visitation from the gods. It was only in the last century and a half that scientists gained a deeper understanding of the phenomenon through advancements in the structure of matter and the discovery of the electron.
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Plasma: occurs when gas is heated to very high temperatures, disassociating into positive and negative charges
Plasma is one of the four common states of matter, alongside solids, liquids, and gases. It is formed when gas is heated to very high temperatures, typically above 10,000 degrees Celsius. This extreme heat provides the energy required for electrons to break free from their atomic orbits, resulting in a mix of free electrons and ions. This process is commonly observed in stars, where nuclear reactions generate extremely hot plasma that emits light and heat. The Sun, for instance, is composed mostly of plasma.
The term "plasma" originates from the Ancient Greek word "plásma," meaning "moldable substance." It is characterized by a significant presence of charged particles, including a combination of ions and electrons. These charged particles enable plasma to conduct electricity, setting it apart from regular gases. The particles within a plasma can carry both positive and negative charges, but the overall charge remains neutral due to the balance between electrons and ions.
Plasma can be artificially generated by heating a neutral gas or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field. The application of high-voltage electricity, such as lightning strikes, can also create plasma. In nature, plasma is formed through ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, which ionizes atoms in the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere, including the thermosphere and exosphere.
Plasma exhibits unique behaviors not observed in other states of matter. It can support electrical currents, generate magnetic fields, and form self-sustaining structures. These properties make plasma highly valuable in various fields, particularly energy, materials science, and communications. For example, plasma plays a crucial role in the concept of nuclear fusion, where two atomic nuclei combine to release vast amounts of energy.
The study of plasma encompasses both theoretical physics and practical engineering. Plasma science, or plasma physics, is a vast academic field with several sub-disciplines, including space plasma physics. Despite our understanding of plasma, it still holds some mysteries, and further research continues to explore its complexities.
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Frequently asked questions
Lightning is a powerful natural electrostatic discharge produced during a thunderstorm. It is caused by the presence of flammable methane from the surrounding swamp combined with winds billowing from the Andes, creating a volatile environment.
A thunderstorm is also known as an electrical storm. 'Dirty thunderstorms' refer to lightning strikes that occur after massive volcanic eruptions, and St. Elmo's Fire is another term for this phenomenon.
Ball lightning is a strange electrical phenomenon where glowing, electrical spheres materialize during thunderstorms and disappear after a few moments or seconds. They are considered quite dangerous and have been described as crackling, fizzing, and occasionally exploding.
Some natural electrical phenomena include Catatumbo lightning, also known as 'The Everlasting Storm', which is the most persistent storm on Earth, and bioelectrogenesis, which is the generation of electricity by living organisms.
Some phenomena that are caused by electricity include St. Elmo's Fire, Wire Corona, and Triboluminescence, where light is emitted from a crystalline substance when rubbed, pulled apart, or crushed.
