Electricity is the energy that powers all the appliances, lights and devices in our modern world. It is created by the motion of electrons, which carry positive and negative charges. The more electrons that flow, the stronger the current and the more energy it has.
Electric energy is produced by generating plants that convert kinetic, or moving, energy into electrical energy. Then the electricity is sent through wires to homes and businesses. From there, it flows into power outlets to make electric devices work. Eventually, the electrons either get used up and return to the power station on a negative wire or they are pushed along by the ones behind them to the next outlet, creating more current.
The electric current created by the wiggling of electrons in a wire is the source of most electricity. This current can produce many different kinds of energy. For example, it can heat water in a boiler or make a light bulb glow. Electricity can also be used to transport information and power electronic equipment. It is also the medium that allows us to use the internet, watch television or listen to music.
Everything in the universe is made of tiny particles called atoms. Every atom has tiny protons and electrons that swirl around each other continuously. The protons have a positive charge and the electrons have a negative charge. The polarity of these charges causes them to try to push each other away. However, if there is enough energy, a force can be exerted that will cause one of the electrons to leave an atom and move through the matter surrounding it. This process can be repeated over and over, creating a flow of electrons. Many moving electrons are referred to as electricity and the energy of that flow is measured in Joules per Coulomb.
Most of the time, the electrons in a wire are not moving fast enough to provide electricity for a lamp. This is because the electrons are ‘pinned down’ to their positions by the magnetic force of the copper atoms they are moving through. This can be overcome by supplying more energy, which is measured in Volts.
Generators create electricity by passing a magnet close to coils of conductive wire, which induces the movement of electrons. Then, more coils of wire are used to connect the generator to homes and businesses. This is known as the electrical grid. Some people also generate electricity with batteries or chemical reactions.