Umair Gaines
The movement of electricity is called electric current. It is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. Electrons move in two ways: jiggling or flowing. Jiggling electricity is called alternating current (AC), where electrons move back and forth between the same atoms. Flowing electricity is called direct current (DC), where electrons zip around a circuit. The force that makes electricity move is called electromotive force, and it is measured in volts.
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What You'll Learn
Electric current
The flow of electrons in electric currents can occur in two ways: jiggling or flowing. Jiggling electricity, also known as Alternating Current (AC), involves electrons moving back and forth between the same atoms, resulting in a periodic reversal of the direction of the electric charge. This form of electric power is commonly delivered to businesses and residences, with audio and radio signals carried on electrical wires as examples of AC. On the other hand, flowing electricity, or Direct Current (DC), is when electrons zip around a circuit in a unidirectional flow. Sources of DC include batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and certain electric machines.
The force that drives the movement of electricity is called electromotive force, typically measured in volts. In a DC system, a stream of new electrons enters the wire or device, while in an AC system, the same electrons oscillate back and forth. This oscillation in AC systems results in moments where the current is zero, making it easier to build circuit breakers compared to DC systems.
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Alternating current (AC)
AC is the form of electric power typically delivered to businesses and residences and is used for most appliances, such as kitchen appliances, televisions, fans, and electric lamps. It is also used for audio and radio signals carried on electrical wires, as well as in guitar amplifiers. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave, although applications may use alternative waveforms such as triangular or square waves.
The direction of the current in an AC circuit is determined by the polarity of the voltage across the wire coils. As the opposite poles of a rotating magnet pass by, the polarity of the voltage reverses, which creates a reversing current direction in the circuit. The faster the alternator's shaft is turned, the faster the magnet spins, resulting in an alternating voltage and current that switches directions more frequently.
AC has several advantages over DC. It can transmit power over large distances with minimal energy loss due to resistance. This is because AC systems transmit power at very high voltages and low currents, which can be easily adjusted using transformers. Additionally, AC generators and motors tend to be simpler in design, leading to greater reliability and lower manufacturing costs.
AC voltage and current can be adjusted by using a transformer, which increases or decreases the voltage. This allows for efficient power transmission through power lines at high voltages, reducing energy loss due to resistance. However, one disadvantage of AC is that energy is lost in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Techniques such as using twisted pairs of wires or coaxial cables can help minimize this loss.
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Direct current (DC)
The movement of electricity is called electric current. It is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space.
A direct current circuit is an electrical circuit that consists of any combination of constant voltage sources, constant current sources, and resistors. In this case, the circuit voltages and currents are independent of time. DC is used in any electronic device with a battery for a power source, such as laptops and cell phones. It is also used in light aircraft electrical systems and automobiles, which typically use 12 V or 24 V DC.
High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission can be more efficient than alternating current for very long distances. HVDC is used for the bulk transmission of electrical power and for long-distance undersea cables. For example, HVDC is the only technically feasible option for undersea cables between countries.
Telephone exchange communication equipment uses a standard −48 V DC power supply. Other devices may be powered from the telecommunications DC system using a DC-DC converter to provide any convenient voltage.
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Electric charge
The movement of electricity is called electric current. It is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. These charged particles are called charge carriers.
Electrons move in two ways: jiggling or flowing. Jiggling electrons are called alternating current (AC), and they move back and forth between the same atoms. Flowing electrons are called direct current (DC), and they move in a unidirectional flow in a closed-loop circuit. In AC systems, the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction, while in DC systems, a stream of new electrons enters the circuit.
Electrons are held in shells around the nucleus of an atom by an electrical force. Protons and electrons carry an electrical charge. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. An atom is in balance when it has an equal number of protons and electrons. When a metal wire is connected across the two terminals of a DC voltage source, such as a battery, the source places an electric field across the conductor, and the free electrons rush in the direction of the force, forming an electric current.
In electrolytes, electric currents are composed of moving ions, such as sodium ions and chloride ions, instead of electrons. In certain electrolyte mixtures, brightly coloured ions are the moving electric charges, making the current visible. In air and other ordinary gases, the dominant source of electrical conduction is via mobile ions produced by radioactive gases, ultraviolet light, or cosmic rays.
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Electrons
In certain metals, the outer shells of atoms are only loosely bound, allowing electrons to move freely. When a metal wire is connected to a DC voltage source, such as a battery, the source places an electric field across the conductor, and these free electrons rush in the direction of the force, forming an electric current. Electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. In electric circuits, the charge carriers are often electrons moving through a wire.
Electricity is created when electrons move in one of two ways: jiggling or flowing. Jiggling electricity, also known as alternating current (AC), occurs when electrons move back and forth between the same atoms. This type of electricity is most commonly delivered to businesses and residences. Flowing electricity, or direct current (DC), is when electrons are zipping around a circuit. In a DC system, a stream of new electrons enters the wire or device, while in an AC system, the same electrons move back and forth.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity is the movement of electrons, which can be in one of two ways: jiggling or flowing. Jiggling electricity is called alternating current (AC), and it occurs when electrons move back and forth between the same atoms. Flowing electricity is called direct current (DC), and it happens when electrons zip around a circuit.
An electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is measured in units of ampere or "amp".
In a solution of Na+ and Cl-, sodium ions (Na+) move towards the cathode (negative electrode), while chloride ions (Cl-) move towards the anode (positive electrode). Reactions at both electrode surfaces neutralise each ion.
The force that makes electricity move is called electromotive force and is measured in volts.
