Electricity

Electricity is a general term for phenomena arising from electric charge, a fundamental property possessed by subatomic particles such as electrons and protons. When charges move or flow, they produce measurable forces, energy, and fields.

The term electricity also refers in everyday usage to electrical power generated in power stations and distributed through systems of wires and cables. These systems power lighting, heating, machinery, and electronic devices.

Charge and Current

Charge exists in two types: positive and negative. Charges of the same type repel each other, while opposite charges attract. Electric current is the flow of charge through a conductor such as a copper wire, measured in amperes. The potential difference (voltage), measured in volts, drives this flow, while resistance, measured in ohms, impedes it.

Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single phenomenon called electromagnetism. A moving electric current produces a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field can generate electricity in a nearby conductor. This principle underlies the operation of generators and electric motors.

Generation and Distribution

Most of the world's electricity is generated in power stations using turbines driven by steam, water, wind, or gas. Photovoltaic panels also convert sunlight directly into electricity. Once generated, electricity is transmitted through high-voltage lines, then reduced by transformers for delivery to homes and industrial facilities.

Safety

Electric current passing through the body can damage nerve and heart tissue, and fire can start if wires overheat or short-circuit. For these reasons, insulation, fuses, and grounding are used.