Electricity Basics

What is Electricity?

• Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles, such as electrons.
• It is a secondary energy source, meaning it is derived from other energy sources, like coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.

Electric Charge

• Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter, found in two forms: positive and negative.
• Like charges (positive-positive or negative-negative) repel each other, while opposite charges (positive-negative) attract each other.
• The unit of electric charge is the coulomb (C).

Electric Current

• Electric current is the flow of electric charge, typically measured in amperes (A).
• It is the movement of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire.
• The direction of current flow is from positive to negative.

Voltage

• Voltage, or electric potential difference, is the force that drives electric current.
• Measured in volts (V), it is the potential difference between two points.
• Voltage can be thought of as the "pressure" pushing electric charge through a circuit.

Resistance

• Resistance is the opposition to electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).
• It depends on the material, length, and cross-sectional area of a conductor.
• Higher resistance reduces the flow of electric current.

Electric Circuits

• An electric circuit is a path through which electric current flows.
• A closed circuit allows current to flow, while an open circuit does not.
• Series and parallel circuits are two common configurations.

Types of Electric Current

• Alternating Current (AC): periodically reverses direction, used in household power distribution.
• Direct Current (DC): flows in one direction, used in electronic devices.

Electricity Applications

• Power generation and distribution
• Electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones
• Industrial applications, like manufacturing and transportation
• Medical equipment and medical treatments