Electric power is present in our day to day, at all times we are depending on electricity and even more in this technological era in which we live, because we are all the time in front of devices with screens that need electricity to load their batteries. Thus, our society as we know it would not be possible without electricity.
If you want to know how electricity is generated and much more about it, continue reading this interesting ecology article in which we talk about What is electrical energy and examplesits types, how it occurs and its advantages and disadvantages
What is electrical energy – definition
Electric power It is one that is generated when there is a potential difference between two points or more points, that is, between points with different electric charges. This makes it possible for a electric current Among the points when putting them in contact through an electric conductor. Thus, the electric current that becomes electricity that we can use for our day to day is produced.
Types of Electric Power
Within this energy we can distinguish different forms of electricity or types of electricity:
- Static: It occurs when two materials with neutral load are put in contact, that is, their atoms have the same amount of positive (protons) loads as negative (negative). By separating these materials they can win or lose negative loads (electrons). This imbalance in load distribution is those that generate an electrostatic field.
- Dynamic: It is when there is a constant electron flow thanks to a permanent electricity source.
- Electromagnetic: It occurs in electromagnetic fields, where they spread through space at the speed of light, magnetic and electrical field waves. Discover here what is electromagnetic pollution, causes, consequences and examples.
Electric power: examples
Next, some will be shown Examples in which electricity is used:
- Urban centers lighting: Electric power allows our cities and towns to be illuminated. Given this, you may be interested in knowing how to save light at home.
- Rechargeable batteries: These batteries, which are usually found on mobile phones or laptops, among other artifacts, once they are exhausted, they must be connected to the supply network to recharge them
- Electric heating: These work thanks to a resistance system, they are less polluting than heating systems that use combustion materials, but they need a large load of electricity.
- Lightning: Lightnings are an example in which electricity is generated naturally.
- Appliances activation: Anyone who needs to be plugged in to connect to the electricity supply network; washing machines, television, microwave, etc.
How electric power occurs
Now that you know all this, maybe you ask yourself how electricity is generated and here we clarify. To produce electrical energy there are different forms but, in general, the process to generate it is carried out in a power plant, or it could also be generated in smaller quantities thanks to specialized devices. Electrical plants generate electricity as a consequence of turbine turn which are moved by the steam that occurs with water heating, through:
- The burning of fossil fuels.
- Nuclear reactions.
But there are not only power plants that use Non -renewable energy sources. There are also many electric plants that take advantage of Renewable energy sourcesas:
- Hydraulic energy.
- Wind energy In this case and in the hydraulics they use the renewable sources of air and water, respectively, to move the turbines that will produce electricity.
- Another example would be the transformation of solar energy into electrical energy thanks to photovoltaic plates.
When electricity is obtained, it will go to electric laying to be distributed by the big cities and all those facilities that demand it. Although, if there is a time when so much electricity is not being demanded, it could be stored in different circuits to be used at a time of greater demand.
Electricity: Advantages and Disadvantages
Electric power was a before and after in society, allowing progress in industrialization and technological development. In fact, without it the society we know today would be impossible. However, in it there are advantages as much as disadvantages:
Advantages of electricity
- We are facing a very powerful and fast energy.
- It is easy to use.
- Its storage for long periods of time is possible.
- Managing it is not very expensive.
Disadvantages of electricity
- The greatest disadvantage of electricity is due to the high cost that leads to produce it, because to generate it it is generally necessary the use of fuels that are also a threat to the environment, therefore, its high cost is not only economic, but also environmental.
- Another disadvantage is that the contact of electricity with living beings can cause burns, as with the birds that fly collide with electric lines.
- If there is a problem in the facilities, fire can occur.
- The vulnerability of electric lines to the most extreme climatic conditions (such as a storm) can cause damage to them producing blackouts or that the distribution network suffers a fall.
Due to the great disadvantage of electricity, the demand for Green energies come from renewable sourcessuch as wind or solar radiation.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is electrical energy and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of non -renewable energy.