The term electricity describes a handful of physical effects, but in common usage the two that are most appropriate are electric charge and electric current. Charge refers to the properties of certain subatomic particles. Atoms can be made out of neutrons, protons and electrons. The latter two carry a charge, with protons being positive and electrons being negative. This charge is balanced in most atoms, but sometimes an atom has too many or too few electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. These atoms are called ions. An electric charge is typically made up of ions and other charged particles, typically electrons. An electric current describes a charge that is in motion.
These are the two electric definitions that you need to concern yourself with. No doubt you'll be dealing with one or the other every day. The thing that you really need to worry about is the delivery system. This is normally sent through outlets that interact with three pronged plugs. Two of those prongs create a circuit with both positive and negative. Though the electricity is sent through the device it tends to lose a lot of charge on the way.
Batteries are electrochemical devices, using chemistry to create electricity. All batteries have the same basic features: a negative terminal, or anode; a positive terminal; or cathode; and an electrolyte. The anode and cathode are made of substances that produce a charge when they react, but these two electrodes cannot come into contact without causing a short circuit. They are therefore connected indirectly by the electrolyte. The typical alkaline battery uses the reaction between zinc and manganese oxide, bridged by an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide.
There is also a lot of misunderstanding about the terms used to measure electricity, with many people thinking volts describes everything. In reality there are three measurements: volts, watts, and amps. A good way to imagine how the three measurements work is to think of a faucet that has been connected to a washing machine. The voltage is the water pressure of the pipes leading to the faucet. Amps are a measurement of the gallons per minute that flow out of the faucet when it is turned on. Watts describe how much water the washing machine needs to actually work. Therefore it is watts that describes how much power is consumed, not volts. Volts actually measure how fast current can potentially be delivered.
This covers the key concepts and terms encountered in everyday electricity use. These are all things to keep in mind when comparing a 12 volt to a 9 volt battery, or a 100 watt to a 60 watt. - 29939
These are the two electric definitions that you need to concern yourself with. No doubt you'll be dealing with one or the other every day. The thing that you really need to worry about is the delivery system. This is normally sent through outlets that interact with three pronged plugs. Two of those prongs create a circuit with both positive and negative. Though the electricity is sent through the device it tends to lose a lot of charge on the way.
Batteries are electrochemical devices, using chemistry to create electricity. All batteries have the same basic features: a negative terminal, or anode; a positive terminal; or cathode; and an electrolyte. The anode and cathode are made of substances that produce a charge when they react, but these two electrodes cannot come into contact without causing a short circuit. They are therefore connected indirectly by the electrolyte. The typical alkaline battery uses the reaction between zinc and manganese oxide, bridged by an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide.
There is also a lot of misunderstanding about the terms used to measure electricity, with many people thinking volts describes everything. In reality there are three measurements: volts, watts, and amps. A good way to imagine how the three measurements work is to think of a faucet that has been connected to a washing machine. The voltage is the water pressure of the pipes leading to the faucet. Amps are a measurement of the gallons per minute that flow out of the faucet when it is turned on. Watts describe how much water the washing machine needs to actually work. Therefore it is watts that describes how much power is consumed, not volts. Volts actually measure how fast current can potentially be delivered.
This covers the key concepts and terms encountered in everyday electricity use. These are all things to keep in mind when comparing a 12 volt to a 9 volt battery, or a 100 watt to a 60 watt. - 29939
About the Author:
Author: Jerry Dyess has published articles for the Texas Electricity for the past 7 years. Get more information on Texas Electric rates.
