Learn Electricity – Just What Is It?
Meriam Webster defines electrical energy as, "a flow of electric current or power, observable in positive and negative forms that occur naturally, as in lightning, or is produced, like a generator, and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons." This makes electrical energy sound really complicated, but electrical energy, as we know it is actually what we would call a secondary source of energy.
What does it mean to call electrical energy a secondary source of energy?
This means that electrical energy is something that humans generate using a primary source of energy such as coal, natural gas, wind energy, and solar energy. Today we learn electricity is used to power the vast majority of tools and devices that all of us use today.
How do we actually generate electrical energy?
In elementary school, we learn electricity is produced when a magnet is passed through a coil of wire; generators use a similar process to what we learned in school. Generators actually use electromagnets passed through coils of wire. Turbines are another way that electrical charges are made. They convert kinetic energy from, water or gas, into mechanical energy, which is then funneled into a generator to be converted into electrical energy. One type of energy creation that most of us use is the internal combustion engine, which produces mechanical energy and then converts it into electrical energy. Internal combustion engines are often used in winter to fuel homes when alternate energy sources cannot be used.
What type of energy is electrical energy?
Electrical energy is neither a renewable or non-renewable resource. The primary source of energy that electrical energy is generated from is the renewable or non-renewable resource. There has been a lot of debate on where the primary source of energy should come from. Many people now believe that electrical energy should be generated only by renewable primary sources, such as solar and wind energy.
What does all of this mean for us?
Electrical energy is a huge part of our everyday lives and the economy. It is used to power our homes, our devices, our tools, and even our cars. Without electrical devices, life as we know it would not exist. It is important to use the electrical energy we generate wisely and make sure that it isn't wasted.
The majority of our electrical use is dedicated to heating and cooling costs. Today, there are many things we can do to use our electricity without excess waste. Smart thermostats, energy-efficient light bulbs, smart outlets, and energy-efficient appliances are great ways to cut back on energy waste. Some people also like to use geothermal energy and solar panels to generate electrical energy for our homes. We should all consider how we generate and use the energy that we use every day.
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