Difference between revisions of "Electricity"
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| − | '''Electricity''' is the most versatile kind of [[energy]]. It plays an important part in almost every [[:category:technology|technology]]. | + | '''Electricity''' is the most versatile kind of [[energy]]. It plays an important part in almost every [[:category:technology|technology]]. |
| − | + | ==Generation== | |
| − | + | Electrical energy can be produced directly in several ways. | |
| − | |||
| + | ===Photovoltaics=== | ||
| + | The conversion of [[photons]] to electricity. | ||
| + | * [[Solar panel|Solar Panel]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Mechanical Generators=== | ||
| + | The interactions between moving [[magnet|magnets]] or [[electromagnet|electromagnets]] can be used to produce electricity. | ||
| + | * [[Generator]] | ||
| + | * [[Magnetohydrodynamic generator|MHD Generator]] | ||
| + | * [[Dynamo]] | ||
| + | * [[Alternator]] | ||
| + | * [[homopolar generator|Homopolar Generator]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Thermoelectric Generators=== | ||
| + | A [[thermoelectric generator]] produces electricity from differences in thermal energy between two or more areas. | ||
| + | * [[Bismuth Telluride]] | ||
| + | * [[radioisotope thermoelectric generator|RTG]] | ||
| + | * [[Thermocouple]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Piezoelectrics=== | ||
| + | [[Piezoelectricity]] is the generation of electricity as a direct result of mechanical deformation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Electrochemistry=== | ||
| + | * [[Battery]] | ||
| + | * [[Electrochemical cell|Electrochemical Cell]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Uses of Electricity== | ||
Electricity can be directly used to produce | Electricity can be directly used to produce | ||
* heat | * heat | ||
| − | * light | + | * [[lighting|light]] |
* movement of machine parts. | * movement of machine parts. | ||
| − | Electrical energy can be directly stored in capacitors and inductors, but only in very small amounts. Large amounts can be [[energy storage|stored indirectly in other energy forms]]. | + | Electrical energy can be directly stored in [[capacitors]] and [[inductors]], but only in very small amounts. Large amounts can be [[energy storage|stored indirectly in other energy forms]]. |
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | * [[Electronics]] | ||
| + | * [[Lightning]] | ||
| + | * [[Static electricity|Static Electricity]] | ||
| + | * [[Electric motor|Electric Motor]] | ||
[[Category: Technology]] | [[Category: Technology]] | ||
[[Category: Energy]] | [[Category: Energy]] | ||
Revision as of 16:31, 12 December 2008
Electricity is the most versatile kind of energy. It plays an important part in almost every technology.
Contents
Generation
Electrical energy can be produced directly in several ways.
Photovoltaics
The conversion of photons to electricity.
Mechanical Generators
The interactions between moving magnets or electromagnets can be used to produce electricity.
Thermoelectric Generators
A thermoelectric generator produces electricity from differences in thermal energy between two or more areas.
Piezoelectrics
Piezoelectricity is the generation of electricity as a direct result of mechanical deformation.
Electrochemistry
Uses of Electricity
Electricity can be directly used to produce
- heat
- light
- movement of machine parts.
Electrical energy can be directly stored in capacitors and inductors, but only in very small amounts. Large amounts can be stored indirectly in other energy forms.
