2006-11-10 08:06:07 · 9 answers · asked by Clintopia 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It leaks out onto the floor.
2006-11-10 08:14:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When you unplug an appliance the current is disconnected between the plug and the appliance. It doesn't go anywhere, it is waiting there at the plug outlet to be connected up again whenever you need it. There isn't any at the appliance end after you unplug it, it is "dead."
2006-11-10 16:11:18 · answer #2 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There isn't any more electricity flowing through the appliance. Think of the electricity in the lines as a balloon that is expanding and contracting very fast (60 times a second). There is an alternating pressure and suction. We call that pressure or suction 'voltage' and by itself, it can't do anything, But when there is a complete conductive path-- a motor coil, or a heater element-- the presssure causes the electrons in the metal wires to surge back and forth, very fast (60 times a second.) This is called 'current', in fact, it is an alternating current caused by an alternating voltage-- they periodically reverse themselves.
Direct current, caused by unchanging voltages (like from a battery) is caused by chemical means. Alternating currents are caused by magnets interacting with coils of wire in generators.
So, in a sense, the electricity doesn't go anywhere-- it STOPS going!
I know you didn't ask about this, but electricity wouldn't be compete without it-- resistance. Voltage, current and resistance are the big three when it comes to electricity. Think of resistance as a doorway that electrons can squeeze through, if it is narrow, there is a high resistance. If it is wide, there is a low resistance.
A given value of voltage (measured in volts, of course) can push a larger current through a smaller resistance. If it is trying to push through a high resistiance, then the current must be smaller.
The equation that relates the three together is Ohm's Law, and it goes like this: voltage equals current times resistance..
In equation form, V = IR, where V stands for voltage, R for resistance and I for current (since C was already being used for something else.)
10 NOV 06, 2128 hrs, GMT.
2006-11-10 16:24:20 · answer #3 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the appliance is unplug no more power is flowing through. The applince will use up the remaining power. After that it shuts off.
2006-11-10 16:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by Futureguy51 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The electricity is the flowing of current or the flowing of electrons, in an AC circuit like the wall outlet, the electrons don't actually flow anywhere they just move back and forth, so when you unplug something the electrons nolonger move back and forth, but there still there.
2006-11-10 16:16:38 · answer #5 · answered by tranquilllity 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Electrical energy as in your 110 Volts at 60 Hertz (cycles per second), goes back to your local transformer grid for use by neighboring homes, including yours, when you turn something off.
Electrical companies continually monitor the load placed on the system and dynamically adjust to provide more power during peak use periods.
2006-11-10 16:16:11 · answer #6 · answered by Phillip 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once the connection is broken, the remaining power in the appliance is discharged and the current remains in the outlet.
2006-11-10 16:16:54 · answer #7 · answered by david42 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It goes to someone else's appliance.
2006-11-10 17:43:10 · answer #8 · answered by randomstupidhandle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Into another demention. Thats why ghosts appear as ball of light. It is really just escaped electicity from the wall socket
2006-11-10 16:08:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋