How Does Electricity Work?

Electricity works from the behavior of charged particles, mainly electrons, at the atomic and subatomic levels. Electricity works through matter made up of atoms, and each atom consists of a nucleus around which negatively charged electrons revolve. There is a type of material whose atoms tend to share electrons that are weakly bound to the nucleus, and these electrons are called free electrons. Therefore, these materials are distinguished by their ability to transmit electricity and are called conductive materials.

Electrons are closely bound to the nucleus in many materials, such as glass, wood, plastic, and air. These materials cannot transmit electricity because their atoms resist sharing electrons with other atoms and are called insulating materials.

For electrical energy to work, a conducting medium is needed to pass through. It also requires something, such as an electric generator (electromotive force), to move it from one point to another via this conveyor.

This article explains the basics of electricity (Atomic Structure and Electrons, Voltage and Electric Fields, (Electrical Pressure), Electron Movement and Current, Resistance and Ohm’s Law, Closed Circuits, Magnetic Effects and Electromagnetism, and Transformers). It answers the questions: What are units of electrical energy? How do solar panels work? What are insulators of electricity?

What are the Basics of Electricity?

The basics of electricity are the flow of electrical charge in a circuit and free electrons between two points in a conductor. These free, moving electrons are what make up electrical energy. Electricity production consists of forcing electrons to move together in a conducting material by creating an electronic deficiency on one side of the conductor and an excess on the other.

The device that causes this malfunction is called a generator. The terminal on the surplus side is marked with a + sign; on the deficiency side, it is marked with a – sign.

When a load is connected to the generator terminals, the generator drives electrons, absorbing positively charged particles and returning negatively charged particles. In an electrical circuit, electrons rotate from the – end to the + end.

The following video shows how electricity work:

The following list explains the basic 7 steps and concepts of electricity Work. 

• Atomic Structure and Electrons
• Electron Movement and Current
• Magnetic Effects and Electromagnetism
• Voltage and Electric Fields (Electrical Pressure)
• Resistance and Ohm’s Law
• Closed Circuits
• Transformers

Atomic Structure and Electrons

An atom is the smallest part of a chemical element that retains the chemical properties of that element. An atom comprises negative charges, that is, electrons orbiting a positively charged nucleus in the centre. The electrons are the main cause of electricity work. The atom comprises several components: the nucleus and electrons that move in orbital shells and are a great distance from the nucleus. There are also particles inside the nucleus called protons and neutrons.

Electrons are particles orbiting the nucleus of an atom. The process of rotating electrons occurs continuously and precisely in orbits. Electrons revolve around the nucleus at a combined speed of up to 1,000 km/s, so they cannot collide together.

In some materials, especially metals, electrons are loosely bound to their atoms, allowing them to move relatively freely (free electrons). This movement helps to form electricity.

The following figure shows free electrons and an atom structure:

Magnetic Effects (Generators) and Electromagnetism

An electric generator is a rotating machine moving a magnet near a conductive metal wire, generating a steady stream of electrons. The generator uses magnets to push electrons through conductors. Magnetic fields give make electric currents work, exemplified in the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, a discovery made serendipitously by the scientist Faraday in 1831 AD. 

Moving a magnet changes the magnetic flux, the total number of magnetic field lines penetrating a certain area and is measured in the Weber unit. This results in the work of an inductive current, which is characterized as a current produced by the movement of a conductor in a magnetic field. The inductive current can also be generated by moving an electric coil around a magnet or by moving a magnet inside a coil. 

The following figure shows the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction:

According to Oersted’s law, electric currents generate magnetic fields around them, as the passage of an electric current in a wire generates a magnetic field in the field surrounding this wire. 

Electron Movement and Current

Electric current (I) is the movement of unbound electrons between two locations in a conductor. When electrons move, some amount of charge moves with them. When voltage is applied to a conductor, the electric field stimulates the movement of electrons to initiate an electric current. The flow of electrons from one point to another shapes the movement of charges, creating an electric current.

The number of electrons able to move through a given material is governed by the physical properties of the material itself that conduct electricity – some materials allow the current to move better than others. Electric current (I) is expressed and measured in amperes (A) as the basic unit of electric current. Current is usually indicated using the unit ampere when working with electrical equipment or installations. The movement of free electrons is usually random, resulting in no overall movement of charge. If a force acts on the electrons to move them in a certain direction, they all drift in the same direction. 

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) are two common types of electricity. In AC, the direction of electron flow alternates periodically, while in DC, electrons flow consistently in one direction.

Voltage and Electric Fields (Electrical Pressure)

Voltage (U) is the quantity of potential energy existing between two points within a circuit. The electric field at a point in space is the force experienced by a positive test charge placed at that point, divided by the volume of the test charge.

The difference in charge between the + and – electrodes in an electricity generator is measured in volts and is represented by the letter “V.” The energy available to the free-moving electrons constitutes electrical energy. Electricity is generated by forcing electrons to move together through a conducting material by creating an electronic deficiency on one side of the conductor and an excess on the other. The extreme is marked on the excess side with a sign (+) and the deficiency side with a sign (–).

The voltage is determined by the distribution network. For example, 220 volts are between the terminals of most electrical outlets, or 1.5 volts are between the terminals of a battery or magnet.

The following picture shows the voltage equation:

Resistance and Ohm’s Law

Resistance is the opposition to the work (passage) of electric current in a conductor. It is affected by the conductor’s material, length, and cross-sectional area. Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). In terms of electricity, the resistance of a conductive material is a measure of how well the material reduces the electrical current flowing through it. Every material has a certain degree of resistance; They are very low – such as copper (1-2 ohms per 1 meter) – or very high – such as wood (10,000,000 ohms per 1 meter).

In two circuits with equal voltage and different resistances, the circuit with the higher resistance allow less charge to flow, which means that the circuit with the higher resistance has less current flowing through it.

Resistance (R) is expressed in ohms. The unit of resistance, ohm, “1 ohm,” is defined as the resistance between two points in a conductor where applying 1 volt drives 1 ampere.

For a given voltage, current is proportional to resistance. Ohm’s law states that for a consistent voltage, augmenting the resistance diminishes the current. Conversely, reducing the resistance increases current. When the resistance in a circuit is close to zero, the current become very large, sometimes resulting in a “short circuit.”

Closed Circuits

For electricity to work continuously, a closed circuit is necessary. A circuit includes a complete pathway for the flow of electrons, typically consisting of conductive materials (wires) and devices (such as resistors, capacitors, and loads).

An electrical circuit is a sealed pathway that allows the flow of electric current. Circuits can be simple, like those in household wiring, or complex, like those in electronic devices.

The following figure shows closed circuits and open circuits:

Components in a circuit can be arranged in series or parallel.  A consistent current traverses through all components in a series circuit configuration, whereas in a parallel circuit configuration, the voltage across each component remains constant.

Electrical Power and Energy Conversion

The electric power is a force arising from an electric field that makes charged particles move, that is, they do work. Electrical power (P) measures the work accomplished by an electric current over a specific duration. It represents the power consumed by a device connected to the circuit. Power computation involves multiplying the voltage by the current, and the unit of measurement is expressed in watts (W). Electrical power is calculated using the formula

P=V×I. 

As electrons move through a circuit, they transfer energy. This energy conversion can take various forms, such as producing light in a bulb, heat in a resistor, or mechanical motion in a motor.

Transformers

A transformer is a static electrical device with no moving parts. The transformer converts electrical energy from a specific frequency and voltage to the same frequency and a different value of voltage, either lower or higher, by electromagnetic induction. A change in voltage is accompanied by a change in the value of the current. When the voltage is raised, the current decreases at the same time. The adapter works with alternating current only and does not work with direct current.

Electrical transformers are important in reducing the electrical voltage reaching some electrical devices. Low voltage, which cause damage to an increase in electrical current. Electrical transformers also contribute to transmitting electricity over long distances if the electrical voltage needs to be transmitted over these distances. Electrical transformers prevent electromagnetic interference within various electronic circuits and keep buildings safe from fires due to unstable electrical pressure.

Energy Conversion

As electrons move through a circuit, they transfer energy. This energy work and conversion can take various forms, such as producing light in a bulb, heat in a resistor, or mechanical motion in a motor.

What are Units of Electrical Energy?

The fundamental measure of electrical energy is the joule or watt-second. A quantity of electrical energy is defined as one joule when a current of one ampere work through the circuit for one second under the influence of a potential difference of one volt. The widely used unit in commercial contexts for electrical energy is the kilowatt-hour (kWh), also recognized as the Board of Trade unit (B.O.T).

Example

1 kWh is equivalent to 1000 × 60 × 60 watt-seconds.

This translates to 36 × 10^5 joules.

Informally, one kilowatt-hour is commonly referred to as one unit.

How do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels work by absorbing photons, the fundamental particles of light (photons). When photons interact with the solar cell’s surface, they transfer their energy to electrons within the semiconductor material. This energy excites the electrons, causing them to break free from their typical positions within the atoms and form electron-hole pairs.

The semiconductor material plays a crucial role in generating an electric field when solar panels work. This electric field facilitates the separation of the liberated electrons from the positively charged “holes” they have vacated. Consequently, an electric voltage difference is established between the two sides of the material, leading to the generation of an electric current. solar panels work either they are configured in series or parallel.

What Series and Parallel Solar Systems Connection?

In solar panel systems for homes, electricity works either we connect resistors in series or parallel to reach a specific resistance value required in a circuit. To Know more about the difference between series and parallel in a solar panel system for home:

Parallel connection refers to the connection of resistance in two or more plates, with the positive and negative terminals on each plate connected to increase the output power. In a parallel solar panel configuration, the output voltage remains the same as that of a single panel, but the current is multiplied by the number of panels connected.

A series connection is connecting resistance in two or more solar panels in series to increase the output voltage. In a series solar panel configuration, the output voltage increases with the sum of the individual panel voltages, but the current remains the same as in a single panel.

What are Insulators of Electricity?

Electrical insulators are materials that prevent the work of electricity. An insulator prevents the unwanted flow of current from conducting parts. Insulation plays an important role in every electrical system. The insulator provides very high resistance, which prevents any current from flowing through it.

Dielectrics contain a very small number of free electrons (charge carriers) and, therefore, cannot transmit electric current. No insulator is perfect because even insulators contain a small number of charge carriers that carry a (negligibly small) leakage current.

Every insulating material has the ability to endure insulation intensity up to a specific threshold known as the breakdown voltage. When a voltage greater than this breakdown voltage is applied, insulators become conductive; this phenomenon is called insulation breakdown. The insulating material must have high insulation resistance and intensity.