Understanding Electricity: Nature and Man-made

Lightning is an electric current found in nature. It is formed when small bits of ice bump into each other in a cloud and create an electric charge. When the cloud fills up with these charges, it interacts with the opposite charges on the ground, resulting in a lightning strike.

The two types of electric currents are direct current and alternating current. Direct current flows in one direction and is found in batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells. Alternating current changes direction periodically and is commonly used in household appliances and power distribution.

Electricity is created when electrons move from one atom to another, producing an electric current.

<p>Devices powered by direct current include batteries, fuel cells, game controllers, flashlights, phones, and TV remotes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fuel cells are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged. They work by combining chemicals like hydrogen and oxygen to create a chemical reaction, which generates electricity. Fuel cells can power anything from utility power stations to small devices like laptop computers.</p> Signup and view all the answers