What is an electric current: directional motion

Everyone knows from experience what an electric current is, but far from everyone understands the physical nature of this phenomenon, especially if they were not interested in this during the school course of physics. And for many school children, physics textbooks seem to be vaguely written. Let's try to correct these errors by describing this phenomenon simply.

The collective farm is at work

The very word "current" means that it is a movement, not a static phenomenon. What is an electric current? It's just a directed movement of charged particles in a conductor or an electrolyte. Classical conductors - items from metals. They are always considered dangerous, remember this if you need to push the victim from a power source. The nature of the electric current in metals is associated with a special property of matter. The fact is that electrons in metals are quite free and represent something like a collective economy. Therefore, in this category of substances, the current is carried out very easily, it is easy to achieve directed motion of the particles.

Events in solutions

Electric current is also well transmitted by solutions of charged particles - ions. At the same time, positively charged cation particles approach the cathode, the negative electrode, and the anion particles are the anion particles, whose charge is negative. Thus, a solution with negative and positive ions, that is, with electrolytes, is a good current conductor.

Why the variable?

Types of electric current - so often formulated question on the exam. And in response, as a rule, they want to hear: "permanent or variable." What is the difference? The constant current moves in the same direction, the alternating current changes its direction. Why did I need an alternating current (namely, it is supplied in domestic service and in production?). The fact is that when using AC power, there is much less loss when transferring it via cable. Thus, electricity transmission becomes more economical.

Electricity and magnets

What is an electric current in nature? It was seen by everyone who saw the lightning - a current of monstrous tension and strength. Man uses many properties of current, for example, the possibility of provoking magnetic phenomena: in inductors, motors and generators. It is the work of scientists-researchers that we owe the comfort of modern life.

Northerners see more

What is the electric current for a resident of northern countries? This is the cause of the Northern Lights, a very spectacular natural phenomenon. Another natural example of electric current can be considered the so-called solar wind, which, strictly speaking, is the cause of the northern lights. This is the flow of particles from the corona of the Sun. It also creates magnetic storms. This flow for the Sun is normal, but some people constantly feel these phenomena on themselves.

Electric current is also capable of causing thermal phenomena. The simple heating of working appliances is proof of this. And it's not just about appliances designed for heating, such as a boiler and heater. Side effect - heating from electric current - is very common.

Electric current for many decades faithfully serves a person. But you need to be very careful with it. We pay tribute to hundreds of lives of electricity, every year, due to negligence, many people die. The current does not forgive mistakes!