What is Electrical Energy? Types and Examples

The light that fills your room when you turn on a light switch isn't magic; it's energy! The "Law of Energy Conservation," which we learned in elementary school, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted. Energy, on the other hand, must be converted from one form to another in order to do any useful work. 

 

A motor, for example, converts electrical energy into mechanical or kinetic (rotational) energy to power a circuit, whereas a generator converts kinetic energy back into electrical energy to power a circuit. So what is electric energy? Let's learn about it in detail.

 

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What is Electrical Energy?

 

“The energy which is caused by the movement of the electrons from one place to another such type of energy is called electrical energy. In other words, electrical energy is the work done by the moving streams of the electrons or charges. 

 

Electrical energy is the form of kinetic energy because it is produced by the movement of the electrical charges. The faster the movement of charges the more the energy they carry.”

 

Work is done when a force moves an object, and energy is the ability to do work. Every day, we require and utilize energy, which comes in a variety of forms. The energy stored in charged particles within an electric field is known as electrical energy. 

 

Simply put, electric fields are the areas that surround a charged particle. Charged particles, in other words, generate electric fields that exert force on other charged particles within the field. The electric field exerts a force on the charged particle, causing it to move and thus perform work.

 

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How does Electrical Energy Work?

 

Michael Faraday, a British scientist, discovered a method of generating electricity in the 1820s. He moved a conductive metal loop or disc between the magnet's poles. According to the basic principle, electrons in copper wire are free to move. 

 

Each electron carries a negative electrical charge. Attractive forces between the electron and positive charges (such as protons and positively charged ions) govern its movement, while repulsive forces between the electron and similar charges govern its movement (such as other electrons and negatively-charged ions).

 

In other words, the electric field that surrounds a charged particle (in this case, an electron) causes it to move and thus perform work by exerting force on other charged particles. Force must be applied to move two attracted charged particles away from each other.

 

Electrical energy can be produced by electrons, protons, atomic nuclei, cations (positively charged ions), anions (negatively charged ions), positrons (antimatter equivalent to electrons), and other charged particles.

 

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Examples of Electrical Energy

 

We’ve listed some common examples of Electrical Energy below :

 

1. A Balloon in Your Hair

 

You've probably tried the trick of rubbing a balloon on your head and having it stick to your hair if you've ever been to a birthday party. When you take away the balloon, your hair will float after it, even if you hold it inches away from your head!

 

Physics students understand that this isn't just magic...Static electricity is to blame. But, if both the balloon and your hair were initially neutrally charged, how did they end up with opposite charges?

 

When you let go, the balloon is so attracted to your hair that it tries to hold itself in place. This allure, however, will not last forever. 

 

This is because the attraction between the balloon and your hair is weak, the molecules of your hair and the balloon will try to find equilibrium by restoring their original numbers of electrons, causing them to lose their charges as the electrons gain or lose.

 

2. Turbines (Wind)

 

Wind turbines convert natural wind into energy that can be used to power our homes, technology, and more. They are often found in remote locations. But how does a turbine convert something that appears to be non-electrical, such as wind, into usable, long-term energy?

 

At its most basic, wind turbines convert motion energy into electrical energy. While explaining how wind works warrant its own blog post, you should be aware that when the wind strikes the turbine's blades, it causes the rotor hub to turn like a windmill.

 

This kinetic energy rotates a nacelle, which houses an electrical generator. This generator then converts this energy into electrical energy by moving electrical charges already present in the generator, resulting in an electrical current...which is also electricity.

 

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3. Battery in Children’s Toys

 

In order for a child's toy to work, a battery converts energy in the same way that a wind turbine converts one type of energy into another. There are two ends to a battery: a positive and a negative. 

 

It's critical to place the right ends in the right places in the toy; otherwise, the toy will not function. The positive end has a positive charge, while the negative end has a negative charge, as you might expect.

 

That means the negative end of the battery has significantly more electrons than the positive end, and the battery is attempting to find equilibrium. When all of the electrons on the positive end have reached equilibrium, there are no more electrons to go through the wiring, indicating that it's time to replace the batteries!

 

4. Cardiac defibrillators

 

Look no further than the defibrillator for excellent electrical examples of both potential and kinetic energy. Defibrillators have saved thousands of lives in emergency situations like cardiac arrest by correcting irregular heartbeats.

 

But how do they manage to do it? Defibrillators, not surprisingly, rely on electrical energy to save lives. Defibrillators have a lot of electrical potential energy stored in the defibrillator's capacitor's two plates. 

 

(As the electrons from the positive plate rush to the negative plate, the potential energy transforms into kinetic energy.) If you are ever near a defibrillator, be aware that it contains extremely powerful electrical energy. 

 

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Types of Electrical Energy

 

There are mainly 4 Types of Electrical Energy. We’ve listed them below : 

 

1. Statistical energy

 

Static electricity is caused by the interaction of an equal number of protons and electrons (positively and negatively charged subatomic particles). 

 

The particles are supposed to be of opposite nature (+,-) in order for this friction to work. If two particles of the same kind, i.e. positive-positive or negative-negative, collide, this is referred to as a 'Non-friction'.

 

2. Hydroelectricity

 

The power of moving water is used to generate hydroelectricity. It is produced in large power plants using the same basic principle as a small grist mill, but on a much larger and vastly improved scale for increased efficiency. Electrical generators are linked to massive turbine devices that spin at high speeds as a result of water flowing through them.

 

Micro-Hydro Electricity was created to power rural areas in Nepal, Vietnam, and China. PM Narendra Modi is introducing this technology in India through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Vidyut Yojna. 

 

Micro-Hydro is thought to accelerate the rate of electrification. Currently, 95 percent of villages in India require electrification. 1-2GW of electricity is required to electrify 1 lakh villages.

 

3. Current Electricity

 

Current electricity is defined as the flow of electric charge across an electrical field. A conductor directs the flow of this current. There are two types of conductors: good conductors and bad conductors. 

 

Good conductors are those that allow an electric charge to flow through them (copper wires), while bad conductors are those that resist an electric charge (Wood). Because of the constant flow of electric charge, the conductor heats up frequently.

 

4. Solar Electricity

 

Solar electricity is produced using the only source of power that has existed since the beginning of time, the Sun, a vast and singular source of energy. 

 

In Solar Electricity, the only source is the sun's rays. It is produced using Photovoltaic (PV) technology, which converts solar energy from sunlight into solar electricity. PV systems use sunlight to power everyday electrical devices such as household appliances, computers, and lighting.

 

A photovoltaic (PV) cell is made up of two or more thin layers of semiconducting material, most commonly silicon. PV cells include monocrystalline silicon cells, multi-crystalline cells, thick film silicon, amorphous silicon, and other thin films made up of a variety of similar materials such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium diselenide (CIS). 

 

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Energy may be required in the form of heat, light, motive power, and so on. Electrical energy can now be converted into any desired form thanks to today's scientific and technological advancements. Electrical energy has risen to prominence in the modern world as a result of this.

 

The survival of industrial enterprises and our social structures is primarily dependent on a low-cost and consistent supply of energy. In fact, the progress of a country is measured in terms of per capita electrical energy consumption, making it a crucial resource for any nation.