What is Electricity? How electricity is generated? Types of electricity.

                                                                                                                         සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න  

What is Electricity?

Electricity is a type of energy that consists of the movement of charged particles between two points when there is a potential difference between them, making it possible to generate what is known as an electric current.  At the atomic level, this charge is carried by electrons (negatively charged particles) and protons (positively charged particles) within atoms.

Electric circuits are pathways through which electric current can flow. Circuits typically include components like resistors, capacitors, inductors and semiconductors, which allow engineers to control the flow of electricity for specific purposes.

Voltage (or electric potential) is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge, and current is the rate of flow of electric charge. The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance is described by Ohm's Law.

Electricity can be categorized into alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC periodically changes direction, commonly used for power distribution. DC flows in one direction and is commonly used in batteries and electronic devices.

The relationship between electricity and magnetism is described by electromagnetism. Moving charges create magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields induce electric currents. This principle is crucial for the operation of motors, generators, and transformers.

Electricity is often generated in power plants using various energy sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. Generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy mainly using electromagnetism.

How Electricity is generated?

Electricity is produced in plants capable of drawing electrical energy from primary energy sources. These primary energies may be renewable (wind, solar power, tidal power, etc.) or non-renewable (coal, natural gas, oil, etc.).

Renewable Electricity generation:

Renewable energy comes from a natural source such as wind power, water power, or the heat of the sun. They are therefore inexhaustible sources of energy and are more environmentally friendly. Some examples of renewable sources are:

• Wind energy: Wind farms, utilizing wind turbines, use air to transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. It's an inexhaustible source but somewhat unstable as it is subject to atmospheric conditions.
• Photovoltaic solar energy: It's obtained when sunlight hits solar panels, producing electrons which, when they move, create a flow of electricity. At present, solar panels are intelligent and can change their own orientation and inclination, following the sun’s trajectory at all times for greater efficiency. Although more stable than wind power, it is also subject to environmental conditions.
• Hydro power: This energy is a traditional and sustainable practice, which is why it continues to be one of the most demanded renewable sources. However, it requires more infrastructure than the previous cases since it involves the construction of dams or dykes. By using a system of hydraulic turbines, the force of moving water is harnessed to produce electricity. 

Non-renewable Electricity generation:

By contrast, non-renewable energy sources use limited natural resources to generate electricity. In addition, they are generally not as accessible as they are only found in certain parts of the planet. Depending on how they are extracted, they can be classified into two different groups:

• Energy from fossil fuels: This energy is generated from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. This type of energy sources are mainly use in the world. when burning fossil fuel, high amount of carbon emit to the environment.  Comparatively natural gases play an important role in the energy mix due to its lower carbon emissions. 
• Energy from nuclear fuels: Uranium is the most common nuclear fuel and can be found in nature in three different isotopes (Uranium-233, Uranium-235, Uranium-238). The nuclear fission process is the most widely used and best known for producing nuclear energy. Due to the reactions triggered in this process, an enormous amount of energy can be released. However, it has the disadvantage of producing radioactive nuclear waste after the process.

Types of Electricity.

There are two fundamental types of electricity.

Static Electricity:

Static electricity is a form of electricity resulting from the imbalance between positive and negative charges within materials that occurs when electrons (the negatively charged particles in an atom) move from one material to another. If the electron-receiving material is either isolated or not an electrical conductor, it tends to hold on to the electrons, resulting in a build-up of electric charge. Since this charge is not moving, it is referred to as static electricity. When conditions allow the built-up charge to flow, the surplus of static electricity is discharged, and it becomes current electricity.

Dynamic Electricity:

It is generated around a moving charge, or in other words, the flow of an electric charge: electric current. This requires a constant source of electricity that makes electrons flow through the body of a conductive material.

Applications of Electricity.

Electricity plays a crucial role in powering a wide array of devices and systems, including lighting, heating, electronics, transportation (electric vehicles), communication, and industrial processes.

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