Electricity Definition and 999 Threads

Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by Maxwell's equations. Various common phenomena are related to electricity, including lightning, static electricity, electric heating, electric discharges and many others.
The presence of an electric charge, which can be either positive or negative, produces an electric field. The movement of electric charges is an electric current and produces a magnetic field.
When a charge is placed in a location with a non-zero electric field, a force will act on it. The magnitude of this force is given by Coulomb's law. If the charge moves, the electric field would be doing work on the electric charge. Thus we can speak of electric potential at a certain point in space, which is equal to the work done by an external agent in carrying a unit of positive charge from an arbitrarily chosen reference point to that point without any acceleration and is typically measured in volts.
Electricity is at the heart of many modern technologies, being used for:

Electric power where electric current is used to energise equipment;
Electronics which deals with electrical circuits that involve active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies.Electrical phenomena have been studied since antiquity, though progress in theoretical understanding remained slow until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The theory of electromagnetism was developed in the 19th century, and by the end of that century electricity was being put to industrial and residential use by electrical engineers. The rapid expansion in electrical technology at this time transformed industry and society, becoming a driving force for the Second Industrial Revolution. Electricity's extraordinary versatility means it can be put to an almost limitless set of applications which include transport, heating, lighting, communications, and computation. Electrical power is now the backbone of modern industrial society.

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  1. L

    How do electrons flow in an electric circuit?

    I want to know if the flow of electron act like a domino effect where 1 electron enter 1 atom than 1 extra electron of that atom is ejected and so on or is it the same electron that move from where the current is produce to your home.
  2. L

    Preparing for Electricity and Magnetism (advanced, undergraduate level)

    Hello PF, I am a few weeks from starting my second year as an undergraduate. This fall I will be taking the Electricity and Magnetism course for physics majors (crosslisted for graduate students). Last spring I took the introductory physics course on electrostatics and magnetostatics. The...
  3. 1

    Resistance of A to B in Current Electricity Homework

    Homework Statement Find the resistance between the A and B( image attached)Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I could only simplify the diagram to this (2 attached pic) and i can't proceed any further since i can't identy find any parallel or series circuit/
  4. S

    Electricity generation - simple bike dynamo - can anyone explain this design?

    http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9523/dynamos.jpg I understand that when the rotating magnet spins, current should be induced in the coils which powers the lights. So what is the point of the soft iron core? The rotating magnet should magnetise it because it is near it, and it should...
  5. C

    How do electrons behave in a basic rechargeable fluid battery system?

    I don't care to understand how to measure it, just want to understand how it works. First help me understand how a basic rechargeable fluid battery system works. Please understand i have an 8th grade education, a ged, and some tech school. I had to teach myself alot. How i understand it...
  6. D

    Magnetism & Electricity (2 magnets - Field)

    I am trying to calculate the output voltage for 1 coil in an axial generator/altenator I have 2 magnets with Br Max 13200 Gauss on opposing sides of the rotor (N-S facing), The coil is between them on stator. Using faradays equations what is the effective Br (Gauss/Tesla) that should be used...
  7. A

    Why Use Twisted Steel Strands in High Voltage Transmission Lines?

    Modern high voltage electrical transmission lines (400kV) may be constructed with cable having a core of twisted steel strands surrounded by layers of twisted aluminium strands? What advantage is gained by using strands of steel rather than a single wire of equivalent total cross section?
  8. B

    Speed at which molecules break down using electricity

    When breaking down a molecule using electricity, what determines how much of the substance is broken down per second. Is it the voltage, current, or something else I'm not thinking of?
  9. S

    How Does Current in a Wire Create a Magnetic Field?

    hi , i wanted to ask why does current in a wire produces a magnetic field ? and can anyone explain how maxwell related electricity and magnetism , easily (im in high school)
  10. S

    How does electricity travel so quickly?

    HI! i only know about the basics of current and electricity , but, i wanted to ask this.. the drift velocity in electrons is approx 10^-4 and thermal velocity is 10^6 m/s , which is not very large compared to the length of wires connecting power stations and homes , but still we get...
  11. S

    Electricity and magnetism (magnitude of magnetic field)

    A 1000-turn toroidal solenoid has a central radius of 4.2 cm and is carrying a current of 1.7 A. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field inside the solenoid at the central radius? (μ0=4∏×10^-7 T ∙ m/A) r= 4.2cm= 0.042m B=(μ0)(I)/(2∏)(r) ⇔ (4∏×10^-7)(1.7)/(2∏)(0.042) ⇔ 1.43x10^-8 T? Or...
  12. S

    Electricity and magnetism (magnitude of current flowing)

    If the area of a tube is 0.0000283 m, with moving ions contributing to a magnetic field of 44.0x10^-4 T. What is the current flowing through the tube? [permeability of free space 'mu subzero'= 4∏x10^-4]. I don't have a clue of how to start attacking this problem, have a genius professor, but...
  13. K

    Can a DC Current Replicate the Glow of Hydrogen Peroxide in Glow Sticks?

    So from my understanding of glow sticks, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide provides electrons that excites the fluorescent dye and gives off that classical glow-stick light source. My question is, could one put a DC current over the solution and still theoretically obtain the same...
  14. H

    Living Organism versus Electricity

    I was wondering for quite a while what would happen if you exposed a living organism to electricity of ~250.000 Ampère at 1.000.000 Volts (I'm unsure if the values given are insanely high or not). Would the organism just end up "everywhere" or something else??
  15. M

    Convert muscular energy to electricity

    Hi to all physicists How can convert muscular (mechanical) energy to electricity without using a generator? In fact I am looking for a way to convert muscular energy to electricity energy without use the generator.
  16. K

    Is it possible to harness electricity from the ground of the earth?

    By means of an antenna circuit tuned to 7.8hz (earth's resonant frequency). Orrrr an Earth battery? I'm not quite sure how those work exactly but can they be tuned? Edit: Earth battery (or Earth Return) was something discovered by Alexander Bain, he got about 1 volt from the ground by placing 2...
  17. E

    Why and how does static electricity destroy chips?

    I'm trying to understand why static discharge (or just plain high voltage) damages semiconductors, in particular integrated circuits. What happens when a chip gets hit by a voltage spike that it can't handle?
  18. D

    Antenna as a source of electricity

    Hi everyone! I need your help to design an antenna which produces current. Since i m not an engineer & have no technical knowledge. So, here is the principle! Guid me how to design an antenna for radio waves or any other one which will produce a maximum attainable current from these by...
  19. B

    Electricity, Direction of Charge Problem

    Some background: This was a quiz I recently had in which I lost a few points for missing an "x & y component" for one of the directions. My thinking is that because the problem was not actually set up with a specified order of charges there are a few different answers you could get. I intend...
  20. C

    Studying Self Studying AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

    No, you didn't read the title wrong. I am really self studying a physics class. I just finished Mechanics (Physics I) and since I want to go to college to study physics to become an engineer or physicist. I need to take the next class, E&M (Physics II, Electricity and Magnetism). However, I...
  21. Lebombo

    How do ISPs work? [bandwidth bill = electricity bill]

    After some of the information I've read and a few youtube videos, this is a rough idea of how I view a basic internet structure. However, I would like to find out how money changes hands in this industry. This is my guesstimate of who pays who: The individual residential households pay the...
  22. W

    Generating Electricity from an Aeroplane Flight

    Throughout the journey of an aeroplane flight, the magnetic field of the Earth will induce and electro motive force in the wings. Is it possible to generate electricty from this EMF? Also I am wondering when to use sin or cos.. for the formula phi = BA
  23. G

    Electricity - Resistance problem

    Homework Statement A 240 W television operates for 4.0 h a day in a typical Canadian home. Calculate the resistance of the television. Homework Equations 1) I = Q/∆ t 2) E = QxV 3) P = (Q x V)/ ∆t 4) P = I^2 x R 5) P = V^2/R 6) P = I x V 7) V = W/Q...
  24. B

    Electricity Problems - conductive spheres

    Homework Statement Initially, metal sphere X is charged to an electric potential of 10,000 volts, with a total charge on its surface of +Q. Metal spheres Y and Z are initially uncharged. Spheres Y and Z are the same size as sphere X. All three spheres are held by insulated stands. 6...
  25. Jadaav

    Static Electricity: What Causes Attraction?

    What does static mean ? Why is a positive charge attracted to a negative charge ? What makes them attractive ?
  26. TheTank

    Thinking about electricity and magnetism, and some relativity

    I have 2 questions. I have been thinking about these two things a while, and got no one to ask, so hope to get some info/answeres here:) 1: When an electron is standing still, it produces an electric field (and no magnetic field), right? So when many electrons is moving with a constant...
  27. T

    Static electricity and high voltage?

    I was just wondering how static electricity has a high voltage. Is it because of the difference of charge between the two objects e.g you and the ground? Or is it due to the electric field which surrounds an static charged object, so the electric field cause ions to build in the air allowing...
  28. A

    Air Flow in a 10m. pipe - generating electricity ?

    I have this idea about creating a 10 meter plastic/metal pipe that would go from a house roof to the ground and having a "U' shape close to the ground so that both holes are directed at the sky. Does anyone have a clue if the difference in atmospheirc pressure between both holes (10 meters...
  29. A

    Question about magnetism and electricity

    Does the force of magnetism cause electricity?
  30. BWV

    Is SEF Electric's Claim of Harnessing Electricity from the Air Just a Scam?

    supposedly there is abundant electricity to be harnessed from converting static electricity in the atmosphere to the power grid (yeah right) http://sefelectric.com/ trying to convince someone that this is just a pump and dump scheme (its a penny stock & the company has a $100M valuation &...
  31. F

    Electricity: conceptual understanding help

    I've been able to do all the calculations and whatnot well in my physics class, but I recently stopped to think more about the concept of electricity and how it fundamentally works, but quite frankly I'm a bit stumped and there are some gaping holes in my understanding. Would someone please be...
  32. G

    Generator speed to create electricity calculation?

    Hi, I am new to things involving electricity and electricity generation, and I have a question that I can't find an answer to and I was hoping that someone here might be able to help me. I would like to perform an experiment but I need some help before buying the items needed. I would like...
  33. A

    Obtaining Electricity from the Earth's Magnetic Field

    If we would build a copper ring that would orbit around the Earth (like a big belt), could we generate electricity from it (because of the Earth's magnetic field). I know it's impractical, but I'm curious as to how much electricity we could get.
  34. gmax137

    How is Japan generating electricity

    With all but one of the Japanese nuclear plants offline (and the last one due to shut down in early May), how are the utilities continuing to meet demand? I read in various places statements such as "Japan has been importing unprecedented amounts of coal, oil and natural gas, resulting in...
  35. J

    Discovery of Electrons: A Stroke of Luck?

    I was studying the cathode ray experiment on how electron was discovered and the experiment uses battery for voltage. How did the people invent battery without knowing electrons and protons ( by chance?) And how was the name cathode and anode given without knowing which is positive and...
  36. A

    Power loss between the electricity meter and the building

    The hydro meter for my house sits on a pole at the front of my property (5.5 acres) approximetly 200 - 250ft from my house I can't give you the wire size that runs under ground. My question is: Is there a loss of power in the distance from the meter to the house and would this result in my...
  37. T

    Density of electrons in a metal (electricity)

    Homework Statement A metallic wire has a diameter of 4.12mm. When the current in the wire is 8.00 A, the drift velocity is 5.40 10^-5 m/s What is the density of free electrons in the metal? Express your answer numerically in m^-3 to two significant figures. Homework Equations I=nqv(drift)a...
  38. H

    Electricity- 2 objects of different power on same battery.

    Guess its pretty simple- Case1- I connect a bulb of less power to a battery of voltage, say 1.5volts. Case2- I connect a bulb of more power to another battery of same voltage, say 1.5volts. What is difference seen in the two cases? : • will the battery drainout quicker in case2...
  39. S

    Electricity and Magnetism: Forces on Conductors in Magnetic Fields

    Homework Statement (i) What is the strength and direction of the force per unit length acting on a straight conductor carrying an electrical current, I, in a magnetic field, B? (ii) The figure below shows a square frame of aluminium set at an angle θ to the direction of a strong static...
  40. N

    Understanding Electricity Waste: TV vs. Reality

    Hello, I have recently started learning about electricity and electronics and would like to have a few things explained. I apologize if these questions are not up to your standards, as this is a serious board. If a watt is amperes times volts let's say you have 3600 watts available at home...
  41. H

    If electricity is flow of electrons and also positive and negative

    if electricity is flow of electrons and also positive and negative charges attract then why electricity needs a conducting medium. electrons has mass and it should just travel through vaccum then why in vacuum electricity cann't travel please reply!
  42. V

    Static Electricity, Spheres question

    Homework Statement Suppose you have two isolated conducting spheres that are both neutral. You move 2mC of charge from one to the other. a. What is the charge now on each sphere? My solution: One sphere is positively charged with 2mC more protons, while the other is negatively charged with...
  43. D

    Current and Electricity Question

    i got it until ' R P(1) = 3 ohm ' but shouldn't the effective resistance of arm ADE be 6+3=9 and effect. resistance b/w A & E be (9*6) / 9+6 = 54/15 ?
  44. B

    Make electricity using your backyard stream

    I'm thinking about building a generator for my parents powered by a stream in their backyard. It would be a great way to learn about science. I'm trying to find the relevant equations so that I can estimate how much energy the stream produces. Right now I have this equation: ε = NBAω...
  45. C

    You can slow the group velocity of light. Can you slow electricity?

    There are various methods to slow and even stop visible light. Most of these methods appear to be slowing the group velocity of light, not the phase velocity. Can you slow the velocity of propagation of electricity? I have seen estimates that electricity, in a wire, propagates at 2/3 the...
  46. M

    Engineering ball sorting project, static electricity

    Hello all, I am an engineering student currently undertaking a project at univeristy. It involves the sorting of 4 different balls of which I have deduced how to sort 2 of them leaving just 2 types of balls to sort... The remaining two are of identical size, 10mm in radius, and are...
  47. H

    What is the relationship between AC electricity and transverse waves in copper?

    I was wondering if I may interprete AC current as a tranverse wave trough copper as medium. So this wave behaviour has a general wave-form written as: \zeta(x,t)=\zeta_{0}sin(kx-\omega.t) This is a solution to the partial differential equation: \frac{\partial^{2}\zeta}{\partial...
  48. C

    Power, electricity, multiple choice Q

    Homework Statement If you step up the voltage in a wire by a factor of 100, how is heat affected? A. No change B. Heat loss increases by a factor of 10000 C. Heat loss decreases by a factor of 10000 D. Not enough information to tell Answer: "C, heat loss decreases by a factor of 10000...
  49. T

    Salt water and tap water conducting electricity - help appreciated

    Salt water and tap water conducting electricity - help appreciated :) Hello, Thanks in advance for helping me with my question! I'm so excited to find this physics forum of such talented people. My question is, I know that salt water conducts electricity more than tap water due to the ions...
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