Electrical Energy
All Charged Up
In a Flash
Electricity Electron Flow Diagram
Electrical energy
Electrical energy is caused by moving electric charges called electrons. The faster the charges move, the more electrical energy they carry.
As the charges that cause the energy are moving, electrical energy is a form of kinetic energy.
Lightning, batteries and even electric eels are examples of electrical energy in action!
Burning Questions
Electric trains use electricity to power electric motors, driving their wheels and providing movement.
What is electrical energy?
Electrical energy is a type of kinetic energy caused by moving electric charges.
The amount of energy depends on the speed of the charges – the faster they move, the more electrical energy they carry.
Let's imagine an electric charge is represented by a ball being thrown against a window.
If you don't throw the ball very fast, it won't have enough energy to break the window.
But if you throw the ball faster, it will have more energy and will be able to smash through the window.
The faster you throw the ball, the more energy it will have to break the window.
Is electrical energy always generated in the same way?
Electrical energy is generated in the same way regardless of the starting form of energy. For example:
In a nuclear power plant, nuclear energy heats water into steam The steam is used to turn a turbine blade, which fires up a generator to give electric charges their energy.
In a hydroelectric plant, falling water is used to spin the turbine blades. The blades turn the generator to create electrical energy.
In a windmill, wind power turns the turbine blade, which – you've guessed it! – makes the generator create electrical energy.
Solar energy is energy produced directly from the sun. Solar energy can be converted into electricity, or used to heat air, water or other fluids.
An electric eel can create up to 600 volts of energy with its own body.
What are some examples of electrical energy?
- In a car battery, a chemical reaction creates an electron which has the energy to move in an electric current. These moving charges provide electrical energy to the circuits in the car.
- During a thunderstorm, lightning is an example of electrical energy – what we can see is electricity in the atmosphere being discharged.
- Electric eels generate electrical energy, which they use to defend against predators and to stun their prey.
What Do You Mean?
Power lines are used to transmit and distribute electrical energy.
Electrical energy is caused by moving electric charges called electrons.
Electricity is a type of energy that comes from electrical energy.
Kinetic energy is the energy of a moving object.
Speedy Summary
Lightning is a flash of bright light in the sky that is created by an electrical discharge moving between clouds or from clouds to the ground.
Electrical energy is caused by moving electrical charges. These charged particles are called electrons.
Teacher's Toolkit
Take this to the classroom!
Curriculum ready content.