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Magnetism
A Science AZ Physical Series
Word Count: 1,668
Electricity
and Magnetism
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Electricity
and Magnetism
www.sciencea-z.com
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Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................ 4
What Is Electricity?............................................ 5
The Two Kinds of Electricity............................ 8
Static Electricity................................................ 8
Electric Current............................................... 10
Measuring Electricity....................................... 13
What Produces Magnetism?........................... 14
Introduction
17
18
19
20
Delivering Electricity....................................... 21
Electricity and Magnetism
in Todays World......................................... 22
Glossary............................................................. 23
Index.................................................................. 24
What Is Electricity?
electron
proton
+
+
electron
negative. These
charges are the
proton
source of electricity.
In diagrams, protons
neutron
+
+
neutron
electron
proton
Negative Ion
neutron
+
+
+
+
Electric Current
Lightning heats the air around it to about
30,000C (54,000F). Thats five
times hotter than the surface of the Sun!
Lightning also causes the air to expand
violently. That is what causes thunder.
insulators
conductors
insulators
conductors
10
closed circuit
direct current
open circuit
11
alternating current
Measuring Electricity
Electrons need a push to get moving in
a wire. This push is called voltage. Voltage
is measured in units called volts. In most
cases, the more volts an energy source has,
the greater the push and flow of energy.
Most flashlight batteries have just 1.5 volts.
House wiring is about 120 volts.
The flow of current in a circuit is measured
in units called amperes. These units are
usually called amps for short. The more
electrons that are in motion in a wire, the
higher the number of amps. Another measure
used in electricity is the watt. It measures how
fast electrical energy is being used.
1.5 volts
12 volts
+
+
+
+
+
+
N+
++
+
+
+ +
+
9 volts
Batteries and outlets have different
volt levels that reflect how much
power they can deliver.
magnetized
13
14
lines of force
16
Producing Electricity
Now you know how electricity can be used
to make a magnet. But did you know that
magnets can also be used to make electricity?
Scientists learned how to do this in the 1800s.
They discovered that if a coil of wire is moved
through a magnetic field, an electric current
flows through the wire. The same thing
happens in reverse, when a magnet is moved
through a coil of wire.
Scientists used that discovery to build
machines called electrical generators. Cities,
once mostly dark at night, became bright
with electric lighting. Today, generators with
large, powerful magnets are used to produce
electricity. This
important form of
energy is used to
provide light and
power for homes,
offices, and factories.
18
Water
Some power plants are part of large dams.
A dam stops the flow of a river. A big lake
forms behind the dam. Water from the lake
rushes through openings at the bottom of
the dam. The water spins the turbine blades.
The turbines are connected to magnets in
a generator. The spinning blades make the
magnets spin.
Wind
The power of wind
can also be used to
make electricity. This
is done with machines
called wind turbines.
They look like huge
airplane propellers.
The turbines transfer
their energy to
a generator.
19
20
Delivering Electricity
Current leaving a power plant has to go
a long way before it gets used. It is passed
through a large device called a transformer.
The transformer greatly increases the voltage
of the current. The extra volts push the
electricity long distances through cables.
The electricity in the cables is too strong
to be used in homes and factories. The voltage
must be reduced first. This is done by using
another kind of transformer that is far from
the power station. This transformer lowers
the voltage to about 120 volts.
21
22
Glossary
alternating
an electric current in which
current (AC) electrons move rapidly back
and forth (p. 12)
23
Index
atoms, 57, 14, 15, 18
electrons, 57, 914
neutrons,57
protons,57
generators,1720
24
lightning, 4, 8, 9, 22
poles,15
power plants, 18, 19, 21, 22
turbines, 19, 20