Kelju Ivan said:I've been wondering how or why electricity actually works. Resistance heaters and light bulbs just turn the kinetic energy of electrons into heat, but what about more complex devices? For example, why does a microwave oven do something useful when electrons flow in the circuitry?
Kelju Ivan said:I was trying to find a general answer, why does any electric device work.
Electricity is generated through the conversion of various forms of energy, such as chemical, mechanical, or solar energy, into electrical energy. This process is typically done in power plants using generators, which produce electricity by rotating a magnet inside a coil of wire.
Voltage is the measure of electrical potential energy in a circuit. It determines the amount of force or push that is needed to move electrons through a conductor. In order for devices to operate, they require a specific amount of voltage to be supplied.
Electricity flows through a circuit in a closed loop, from a power source such as a battery or outlet, through a conductor, and back to the power source. The flow of electricity is facilitated by the movement of electrons, which are negatively charged particles.
AC (alternating current) electricity flows in one direction and then reverses, while DC (direct current) electricity flows in one direction only. Most household devices use AC electricity, while DC electricity is commonly found in batteries and smaller electronic devices.
Yes, electricity can be stored in batteries, which act as reservoirs for electrical energy. When connected to a circuit, the stored energy can be released to power devices. However, energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another.