Electrical Energy Overview and Basics

Electrical Energy Overview

• Electrical energy is the ability to do work by moving electric charges.
• The strength of the energy is related to the speed of the charges.
• It comes from the movement of electrons between atoms.

Atomic Structure and Electron Movement

• Atoms are the building blocks of matter, with a nucleus containing protons and neutrons.
• Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells.
• Valence electrons in the outermost shell are loosely bound and can move.
• Movement of electrons from one atom to another produces electrical energy.
• Conductors (e.g., metals) allow electrons to move easily.
• Insulators (e.g., plastic, glass) restrict electron movement.

Electrical Energy vs. Electricity

• Electrical energy is the energy from electron movement.
• Electricity is the flow of electrical energy through a conductor.
• Static electricity is a buildup of electrical energy in one place.
• Current electricity flows from one place to another.

Electromagnetism

• Electricity and magnetism are linked.
• An electric current creates a magnetic field around a wire.
• A changing magnetic field creates an electric current.

Units of Electrical Energy

• Units are used to measure different aspects of electrical energy. These include Ampere (electric current), Coulomb (electric charge), Farad (capacitance), Henry (inductance), Hertz (frequency), Ohm (resistance), Joule (energy), Kilowatt-hour (energy), Volt (potential difference, voltage), Watt (electric power).

Potential vs. Kinetic Energy

• Electrical energy can be either potential or kinetic.
• Static electricity is potential electrical energy.
• Moving electrons are kinetic electrical energy.

Examples of Electrical Energy

• Batteries
• Appliances
• Static electricity
• Capacitors