Wiktor Wise
Electricity is a type of energy that comes from the flow of electrical power, also known as a charge. It is made at huge power plants across the country, which use both renewable (natural) and non-renewable sources to create it. These sources include coal, wind, water, natural gas, solar power, and even animal droppings! Electricity is caused by electrons, which are tiny particles that orbit around the edges of atoms, from which everything is made. These electrons flow from place to place, creating a charge, and generating electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Electricity is the flow of tiny particles called electrons. It can also mean the energy you get when electrons flow from place to place. |
| Discovery | The ancient Greeks were the first to study electric forces. In the American colonies during the 1700s, Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is a form of electricity. |
| Sources | Electricity is made at huge power plants across the country. These factories can use coal, wind, water, natural gas, solar power, and other resources to make electricity. |
| Transmission | Electricity travels through wires inside the walls to the outlets and switches all over your house. Poles and wires along the road act as "roadways" for electricity to travel on. |
| Measurement | Electricity is measured in units of power called Watts, named to honor James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine. |
| Safety | House current voltage is strong enough to kill a person. |
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What You'll Learn
How is electricity made
Electricity is made at huge power plants across the country. These power plants use generators to produce electricity. Generators convert a form of energy into electricity.
There are many different types of electricity generators. Most of the electricity in the world is generated from generators that use Michael Faraday's discovery in 1831 that moving a magnet inside a coil of wire induces an electric current to flow in the wire. Faraday's first electricity generator was called a Faraday disk. Electromagnetic generators use an electromagnet—a magnet produced by electricity—not a traditional magnet.
Generating stations can use solar, wind, coal, natural gas, or water to generate electricity. Coal is the most common way to make energy. It takes 440 million years for coal to be made. Solar power is one of the most popular natural sources of electricity.
Once the electricity is generated, it is sent through transformers to increase the voltage to push the power long distances. Transformers were developed by William Stanley to solve the problem of sending electricity over long distances. High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity over long distances to where it is needed. Higher voltage electricity is more efficient and less expensive for long-distance electricity transmission.
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Electricity and lightning
Electricity is a type of energy that comes from the flow of electrical power, also known as a charge. It is made of tiny particles called electrons, which are tiny parts of atoms. Electrons are either positively or negatively charged, and they move around the atom. Electricity is made at huge power plants across the country. These factories can use coal, wind, water, natural gas, solar power, and other resources to make electricity.
Lightning is a type of electricity found in nature. It is a gigantic electrical spark that travels at 186,000 miles per second! Lightning is made when electrical charges in the atmosphere come together. Water droplets and ice particles inside a cloud carry electrical charges. Sometimes, there are too many negative charges in one part of the cloud, and they want to join with the positive charges on the ground. It is difficult for these charges to come together because electricity does not move easily through the air. However, as the cloud grows, the charges become stronger and eventually overpower the air, releasing a strong, negatively charged electrical current. When the positive and negative charges meet, they create a bright flash of lightning!
Lightning is very powerful. It would take 80 million car batteries to equal the power of one thunderbolt! A single lightning flash has enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for three months. Benjamin Franklin, in the American colonies during the 1700s, was the first to prove that lightning is a form of electricity.
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Electricity and magnetism
Electricity is caused by the flow of tiny particles called electrons. Electrons are particles that "orbit" around the edges of atoms, from which everything in the universe is made. Electrons have a small negative charge. Protons, on the other hand, have a positive charge. An atom is in balance when it has an equal number of protons and electrons.
Now, electricity and magnetism are closely related. The spinning of electrons around the nucleus of an atom creates a tiny magnetic field. In 1831, scientist Michael Faraday discovered that moving a magnet inside a coil of wire makes an electric current flow in the wire. This relationship between magnetism and electricity led to the design of the electromagnetic generators that we use today. Electromagnetic generators use an electromagnet, which is a magnet produced by electricity, not a traditional magnet. When electricity flows through a wire, it creates an invisible pattern of magnetism all around it.
Electricity can be made from a number of different resources. There are both renewable (natural) and non-renewable sources. Coal, natural gas, wind, water, and solar power are some examples of resources used to create electricity. Generating stations, also known as power plants, use these resources to create electricity, which is then sent through transformers to increase the voltage so that it can be pushed over long distances.
Lightning is a form of electricity found in nature. It is made up of a large number of electrons flowing through the air all at once, releasing a huge amount of energy.
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How electricity travels
Electricity is made at huge power plants across the country. These power plants use different resources to generate electricity, such as coal, wind, water, natural gas, solar power, and even animal droppings! Once the electricity is made, it needs to travel long distances to get to our homes.
The electricity first goes through something called a transformer, which helps to increase the voltage so that the electricity can travel far. Then, the electricity travels through transmission wires attached to pylons, which are those big metal towers you see along the road. These wires and pylons form a huge power grid, which is like a big network that connects all the power plants and helps send electricity to where it is needed.
The electricity then goes to local substations, which are like special stations that help control the electricity. Here, the electricity is made safe to use in our homes. After that, the electricity travels through the wires inside the walls of your house to the outlets and switches, ready to power your devices!
Electricity travels in what is called a closed circuit. This means that it needs to have a complete path from the power plant to the wires in your home and back again. When you turn on a light switch, you close the circuit, so the electricity can flow and make your light bulb work. When you turn it off, you open the circuit, and the electricity can't flow anymore, so the light goes off.
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Using electricity safely
Electricity is a type of energy that comes from the flow of electrical power, also known as a charge. It is made at huge power plants across the country, which use coal, wind, water, natural gas, solar power, and other resources to make electricity.
Electricity is an important part of our lives, but it is also powerful and can be dangerous. It is important to learn how to use electricity safely. Here are some tips to help you use electricity safely:
- Electric outlets are only for plugs. Never stick your fingers or other objects into electric outlets.
- Avoid using cords that are damaged or frayed. These can be a safety hazard.
- Keep electric cords out of the way. Make sure they are not in places where people could trip over them. Don't run cords under rugs or pinch them in doorways.
- If you are using extension cords outside, make sure you are using the right cord for the job and only plug into GFCI outlets. Unplug and store the cord when it is not in use.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. If you see poles and wires along the road, remember that these are the "roadways" for electricity to travel on.
- Do not go near electrical substation fencing and stay at least three yards away from a substation at all times.
- Do not go swimming during a storm, especially if you have heard thunder or seen lightning.
- Keep all electrical items away from water sources.
Remember, electricity should always be used with care. By following these safety tips, you can help protect yourself and others from electrical hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity is a type of energy that comes from the flow of electrical power, also known as a charge.
Electricity is made of tiny particles called electrons. Electrons orbit atoms, which are the tiny objects that make up everything in the universe.
Electrons have a negative charge. When electrons move from one place to another, they create electricity. This movement of electrons can also create magnetism.
Electricity comes from power plants, which use generators to convert other forms of energy into electricity. These generators can be powered by renewable resources, like solar, wind, and water, or non-renewable resources, like coal and natural gas.
Electricity travels long distances through wires and poles, which are part of the electrical transmission and distribution system, also known as the power grid. Transformers are used to change the voltage of electricity to make it more efficient for long-distance transmission or safer for use in homes.
