Nature of Electricity: Charging the Universe
- Sylvia Rose
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Electricity is a natural physical phenomenon, relating to the existence and movement of matter with an electric charge. Electricity works on the basis of electron flow, and occurs in lightning and electric eels.
About Electricity
Space is inherently electrical, filled with electric currents and fields. The electric currents come from movement of charged particles like ions and electrons.
The nucleus of every atom contains positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. Orbiting the nucleus are negatively charged electrons. Balance between positive and negative charges creates a neutral atom.
In an atom, an electrical charge arises when the number of protons in the nucleus is not equal to the number of electrons orbiting it. An atom carries a negative charge if it has more electrons than protons.
Conversely, if there are fewer electrons than protons, the atom has a positive charge. When they gain or lose electrons, atoms become electrically charged ions. These charged particles are the basis of electricity.
Lightning occurs due to separation of positive and negative charges within a storm cloud. The buildup of force eventually creates a strong electric field.
The electric field overcomes the insulating properties of the air, neutralizing the charged state by creating a forceful discharge of ions, electrons and electromagnetic radiation like light. Their path is visible as a lightning bolt.
Static Electricity
Lightening the result of static electricity. Static electricity happens when there's an imbalance of electric charge on the surface of a material. Rubbing a balloon on hair transfers electrons from hair to the balloon.
This gives the balloon a negative charge and hair a positive charge. The resulting attraction between the oppositely charged hair and balloon is static electricity.
Cat fur makes sparks due to static electricity. Especially in dry environments, static electricity is generated by friction between fur and hands or other objects. The charge releases as a small spark or shock.
Metal doorknobs are famous for electric shocks. When a person walks across a carpet, a static charge can accumulate in the body. Touching a metal doorknob causes the static charge to surge to the knob, making a small shock.
Current Electricity
While static electricity demonstrates the presence of charge, current electricity is about the movement of charge. Electric charge defines how particles interact through electromagnetic forces.
The charges are either positive and negative. When opposites meet, they attract. Same-type charges repel.
When electrons in the outer shell of an atom lack a strong attraction to the protons, they become displaced from their orbits and hop from one atom to another. They move at random, constantly changing direction.
When an electric field is applied, they can drift in one direction as a current. An electric field can be created by charged objects or voltage difference. Electric current is measured in amperes or amps (A).
Voltage, known as electric potential, is the amount of potential energy per unit charge in a circuit. It's measured in volts (V).
Voltage and current manifest in Ohm's Law: current (I) equals voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). A simple circuit might operate at 10V with a resistance of 5 ohms, resulting in a current of 2A.
An ohm (Ω) is the standard unit of measurement for electrical resistance in the International System of Units.
Electricity & Magnetism
Deep in the Earth, rotation of its iron core produces massive electric currents. They create a magnetic field reaching far beyond the Earth's surface and into outer space past Pluto.
Electricity and magnetism are fundamentally intertwined, forming electromagnetism. This is described by Maxwell's Equations, considered the cornerstone of classical electromagnetism.
Moving electric charges create magnetic fields: When electric current flows through a wire, it generates a magnetic field around the wire. This principle is used in electromagnets, where a strong magnetic field is created by passing a high current through a coil of wire.
Changing magnetic fields induce electric fields: Conversely, a changing magnetic field can induce an electric field, to then drive an electric current. This principle is used in generators.
The mechanical energy of rotating a coil of wire within a magnetic field is converted into electrical energy. When a magnet moves relative to the coil, it induces electric current in the wire.
Electric Eels
Electric eels are among the great phenomena of nature. They produce electricity through specialized cells or electrocytes, organized within three electric organs.
The organs consist of stacks of electrocytes and function like a set batteries. When the eel wants to release electricity, it activates the electrocytes.
Ions to move across the cell membranes, creating an electric current. Plants use similar methods in electrical signaling.
Coordinated discharge of electrocytes across all three organs enables the eel to produce electric shocks. They range from mild pulses for navigation and detecting prey to strong shocks for defense and hunting.
Solar Wind
The solar wind can generate electricity, mainly through geomagnetic storms. When solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field, it induces strong electric currents in the atmosphere and on the ground.
The currents can run through electrical grids. They damage power lines and transformers, causing power outages.
The solar wind has also stripped much of the atmosphere from Mars. The magnetic field carried by the solar wind generates an electric field, much as a turbine on Earth is used to generate electricity.
The electric field accelerates electrically charged gas atoms (ions), in Mars's upper atmosphere and shoots them into space. The atmosphere of Mars is about 1/100th that of Earth.
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