Electricity?

Question

Basic electricity is part of the course I am studying. Nearly got it but not quite.
I understand that electrons flow, but how? Is it like a knock on effect like dominoes from atom to atom(bad anology I know).
Why is UK 230 V and US 110V. What difference does this make.

Answer 1

I think that your analogy is pretty apt. Whether it is the same electron that moves from one end of the wire to the other is pretty difficult to tell, probably not the case, and in the end doesn't really matter. What is more likely is that an electron moves from an outer orbital (because they are more loosely held) of one atom to the outer electron shell of another atom, knocking an electron away from that atom and so forth down the line (if we are talking about direct current anyway). Alternating current (what comes out of the wall at your house) is a little different but the concept of electron movement is the same, it's just that the electrons don't flow in one continuous direction.

As for the voltage, that is all just based on whatever that particluar country setup, just like standard versus metric tools. We in the US are the odd balls Voltage is basically just potential energy in electricity, and when you transport electricity over a long distance (like on the power lines you see along a freeway) it is a really high voltage (in the 100,000 volts range) and then reduced in voltage before it gets to your house. In the US we just reduce that voltage a little more than other countries. The implications of this can be a real pain because if you plug in your 110V US made radio into an outlet in the UK it will melt the circuitry inside of your radio and ruin it. Trust me, when you open it up the circuit board will be all black and charred because that high voltage created a much higher flow of electricity than the radio was built for and the wires get way too hot.

Answer 2

Some materials are good conductors, like copper, aluminium, silver, gold. The electrons can be easily stripped off the outer portion and added back again. In other material (insulators), the electrons are held more firmly and cannot be easily ripped off.

A common analogy is like water in a circulation system, or maybe even a chain. Voltage is often referred to as "potential", similar to Potential Energy. e.g. like water raised up high can do work, like drive a water wheel as it falls.

There's not a huge amount of difference between 230V and 110V. Both are dangerous to touch, 110V will give a little tingle, 230 will be much more severe. Since power=volts times amps, for a typically domestic appliance, a US item (say a vacuum cleaner) will draw roughly twice the current of a UK machine of the same power. This means the cabling needs to be designed to carry twice the current, and be twice the thickness.

Transmission of power from the power station to your house is usually done by sending very high voltages (132KV, 400KV) over (relatively) thin cables for most of the distance, then reducing the voltage and increasing the current after a substation or two. This means the power lines don't cost so much and are not so heavy as they might otherwise be.

Answer 3

Electrons are a specific, inclusive frequency that exists along the entire length of a wire (conductor). Electrons also exist in all other matter and they have exactly the same frequency as those of a conductor, but they are bound together in a common outer shell of atoms that do not allow for individual atoms to move outside that shell.

In a wire, when there is a forthcoming addition of electrons, a pressure is exerted within the wire in order for the electrons to accommodate to the restrictions of the conductor. This can only happen if there exists someplace for the electrons within the wire to move to (load). If there is not a specific location for them to move to, the electrons already within the conductor (wire) have no greater or less capacity for performing work than electrons bound up within individual atoms.

A conductor and a hose containing water are an excellent analogy when it comes to 110 and 220 voltage. Each has to do with the "pressure" exerted along the length of the conductor, thus the power.

Answer 4

In conductors, surface electrons are basically somewhat shared between atoms. That is what defines their ability to conduct electricity.

That said, then think of these electrons more like a fluid. Much as the water in a hose. If you apply a force to one end of the hose, then the water is forced through the hose. Same thing with a conductor. The electrons are put under a force, i.e. an EMF (electromotive force), causing current to flow (movement of electrons). The voltage relates to the level of that motive force.

Answer 5

I see that there is alot of answers on how electrons flow, so i'll skip it.

I think that UK operates at 230V nominal is because the higher the voltage, the lower the current, thus allowing for smaller conductor sizes. I don't think it has anything to do with power consumption, because power is power (VoltsxAmps). Hopefully someone from the UK can give some real insight, this is merely a guess.

Answer 6

Electrons flow in a circuit only when a voltage is applied.
It is not a knock on effect, it is more like positives and negatives attract!!
Voltage is rated according to the preference of the country

Answer 7

Electrons don't really "flow", they vibrate at a certain frequency (60 hz for normal 110 V households).

UK 230 V is a higher voltage, usually for powering machines that require more power than normal appliances (like a deep freeze, clothes dryer, welder).

Answer 8

Electrons are always trying to move toward the ground, and are "trapped" in the circuit, creating the circular flow you perceive

Answer 9

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Answer 10

our higher voltage makes it easier to transmit current along (you can use smallercables/wires because there is less current. I think the americans were a little more worried than we were about electric shocks, so went for a lower voltage!