Electrical EnergyElectrical Energy

Where does it come from and where does it go?

What is Electrical Energy?

• Electrical Energy is the energy of electric charges.

Where Does Electrical Energy Where Does Electrical Energy Come From? Come From?

4 Basic Areas4 Basic Areas

1. Dry Cell Batteries1. Dry Cell Batteries

2. Wet Cell Batteries2. Wet Cell Batteries

3. Photocells3. Photocells

4. Thermocouples4. Thermocouples

Where Does It Go? Where Does It Go? • Electrical energy can be converted Electrical energy can be converted

into basically any other type of into basically any other type of energyenergy

ChemicalChemical

NuclearNuclear

SoundSound MechanicalMechanical

ElectricalElectrical

LightLightHeatHeat

EnergyEnergy

But, Where Does Electricity But, Where Does Electricity Come From? Come From?

• From ATOMS!!!!

The smallest particle a substance can be The smallest particle a substance can be broken down intobroken down into

Well, then what part of the atom Well, then what part of the atom is the important part???is the important part???

***the ***the negativelynegatively charged particles charged particles found outside of found outside of the nucleusthe nucleus

Well…then how do they move Well…then how do they move from one object to another?from one object to another?

• 2 Main Culprits

ConductorsConductors

• Materials that negative charges Materials that negative charges move easily through move easily through

• Charges are free to move Charges are free to move around around

Good conductorsGood conductors: : metals such as silver, metals such as silver, aluminum, copper, aluminum, copper, and mercury and mercury

InsulatorsInsulators

• A material in which negative A material in which negative charges do not move well charges do not move well

Found on electrical wire to keep you Found on electrical wire to keep you from shocksfrom shocks

Good InsulatorsGood Insulators: : Plastic, rubber, glass, Plastic, rubber, glass, wood, and airwood, and air

Charging ObjectsCharging Objects• Every object begins as neutral. Meaning it Every object begins as neutral. Meaning it

has no charge…we call this a 0 (zero charge).has no charge…we call this a 0 (zero charge).

• Then, in some situations…Then, in some situations…they can becomethey can become

Charge It!!!Charge It!!!

electron

neutron

proton

Objects become Objects become charged because they charged because they lose or gain electronslose or gain electrons

Gain = becomes negativeGain = becomes negative

Lose = becomes positiveLose = becomes positive

Well why do my pants stick to Well why do my pants stick to me then, they are insulators me then, they are insulators

right?right?

• Right, but also wrong….hmmm

The buildup of The buildup of electric charges on electric charges on

an objectan object

StaticStatic = does not move = does not move

Ouch…you shocked me!!!Ouch…you shocked me!!!

When the static When the static electricity in an electricity in an

object leaves the object leaves the objectobject

Examples: cracking noise, shock, flash of light

Opposites Attract!!!Opposites Attract!!!

• Objects that have Objects that have oppositeopposite charges are charges are attracted to each otherattracted to each other

Result = objects Result = objects are pulled are pulled togethertogether

Sames Repel!!!Sames Repel!!!

• Objects that have the Objects that have the samesame charges charges are repelledare repelled

Result = objects Result = objects repel each otherrepel each other