Uses of Electricity Overview
Electricity is a crucial aspect of modern living and the economy. Electricity is used for lighting, heating, cooling, and refrigeration, as well as to power appliances, computers, electronics, industrial systems, and public transit systems.
What is Electricity?
Electricity is a collection of physical phenomena related to the presence and motion of matter with an electric charge. Both electricity and magnetism are connected to the phenomenon of electromagnetics, as defined by Maxwell's equations. Lightning, static electricity, electric heating, electric discharges, and other frequent occurrences are all connected to electricity.
Importance of Electricity in Daily Life
- Our regular use of electricity is a secondary source of energy.
- Electricity is generated by converting fundamental and natural energy sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, solar energy, and wind energy into electrical energy, which has become critical in enabling human lives and accomplishing the nation's economic revival.
- The discovery of electric energy resulted in the design and manufacture of gadgets that changed their age, and scientific breakthroughs have contributed to the development and advancement of electricity use.
- Thomas Edison, for example,developed the light bulb, which is considered one of the most important innovations in human history.
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What are the Uses of Electricity?
It is impossible to imagine a world without power these days. Electricity is required for small things like study lamps and large items like a jet. Human civilization has advanced to the point that power is needed everywhere.
Some of the most noteworthy daily uses of electricity are described below-
Commercial
The factory employs heavy machinery that is always powered by electricity to manufacture various materials. Even giant-sized magnets require power to keep them charged in order to lift heavy metals.
Engineering
Buildings and structures for people's convenience necessitate the use of energy at every stage. Building buildings, installing gates and windows, and welding materials all require the use of current energy to power the machinery.
Entertainment
The MP3 player, portable battery-powered radio, and memory stick are all regarded as essential aspects of our daily lives; all rely on electricity to work, whether linked to the mains or a power source such as a battery.
Fuel
Electrical energy is a type of renewable energy that can be produced using the majority of the natural resources that are accessible to us. Things that used to operate on fossil fuels, such as vehicles and motorcycles, are now designed to run on electricity (such as solar-powered), which will be more convenient in the future.
Healthcare
- Surgical procedures
- During a patient's procedure, doctors require a bright light.
- The surgery might be deadly if there is no electricity.
Household
Electricity powers everything from a toaster to a refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher, electrical chimney, and a plethora of other equipment designed to make daily life easier.
Office
We go to work in places where almost everything is powered by electricity. Electricity is required for the lights, lifts, air conditioning, coffee machine, ID card reader, biometric scanners, and everything else.
Outdoors
The street lights on the road require power to work, while pools in colder climates require electricity to heat the water. The lawnmower, which is used to cut grass, is powered by electricity. The water sprinkler on the lawn is also powered by electricity.
Space
Satellites and probes launched from Earth for space exploration are powered by electricity. Electricity is created via a generator or is battery-powered. Without the use of electricity, the Apollo mission to place humans on the moon would not have been feasible.
Transport and Communication
Only electricity makes it feasible to travel to distant locations or communicate with people in other parts of the world. A power outage while flying might be hazardous.
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Uses of Electricity in our Daily Life
We utilise electricity in all aspects of our lives; some of the ways we use electricity to combat environmental degradation are listed below-
Commercial Usage
Electricity is used in many commercial structures, such as businesses, hospitals, education centers, restaurants, retail malls, government facilities, police stations, and so on. Hospitals and medical facilities, for example, are among the business sub-sectors that demand an endless supply of power.
Industrial Uses
In today's world, the industrial sector consumes a significant amount of power. It would have been impossible to run factories, industrial units, manufacturing processes, and other varied ranges of activities without the use of electricity.
Residential Applications
Various domestic equipment and devices that require electricity range from simple to complex. These range from basic domestic equipment such as a coffee maker, dishwasher, and microwave to large electrical appliances such as air conditioning units, refrigerators, electric heaters, washers and dryers, and so on. In a nutshell, your entire home's lighting system is powered by electricity.
Transportation System
According to the most recent information, the global transportation system is fully dependent on the usage of electrical energy, whether traveling from one location to another or communicating over the world. Electric cars are widely used by the general public to use electricity (electric scooters, e-rickshaws). Vehicle batteries are charged by electricity. Metros provide an alternative to fuel-dependent railway systems.
Other Uses
Electricity is also employed in automobiles. There is a large battery to assist the engine in starting. The engine then creates energy, which powers the radio, lights, and other amazing features. Magnetism may also be produced by electricity. This may be used to make massively strong magnets as well as quick and silent magnetic trains. Electric motors employ magnetism to spin the motor and induce movement for a variety of applications.
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Interesting Facts about the Uses of Electricity
- Wind power generates 25% of the city of San Francisco's electricity.
- Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, two great physicists, previously debated whether we should use AC or DC power in our houses. Tesla triumphed, and most households still have air conditioning.
- Electric eels use electricity to repel predators. They are capable of delivering a 500-volt shock.
- Electricity is used by our bodies to communicate, including telling our hearts to continue beating.
- Lighting was the earliest application of electricity in dwellings.
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Do you know?
According to the most recent data, the use of fossil fuels contributes significantly to global environmental pollution. Vehicles that operate on batteries are thus safer and more environmentally friendly. As a result, the use of electric cars is projected to increase in the future.
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Points to Remember about the Uses of Electricity
- Electricity has now become as essential to human life as oxygen.
- The majority of power is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels.
- Wind turbines, solar panels, and dams are among the other ways to generate power.
- Electricity has several applications.
- Some of these include applications in the entertainment business, the manufacturing industry, domestic chores, healthcare, and use as fuel, among others.
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Samples Questions for the Uses of Electricity
Q.1 What role does electricity play in our lives?
Ans. Electricity is the most valuable scientific breakthrough that has now become an indispensable component of our daily lives.
- Electricity is used for a variety of functions, including simple home tasks such as running fans, illuminating rooms, and operating domestic equipment such as air conditioners and electric cookers.
- Electricity may also help in the fields of medicine, transportation, and communication. Innovative modes of transportation, such as electric trains and battery automobiles, are now available. Electricity has also supplied entertainment in the form of television, radio, and cinema. Computers and laptops, without which we would be unable to run our lives, are also essential sources of power.
- Electricity has also been used to create robots.
- Electricity is also used by machines in the medical profession and surgery, such as X-rays and ECGs. As a result, power is now a daily requirement.
Q.2 What is the Function of Electric Eels?
Ans. Electric eels utilize electricity to drive away their adversaries. They may deliver a maximum shock of 500 volts. Electricity is used by our bodies to communicate, including telling our hearts to continue beating. Electric eels are freshwater fish that can shock their prey by creating electricity. When eels detect prey, they transmit a signal to the brain via the neurological system. The electrolyte is used to transmit the signals. An electric current is created as a result of the quick difference in electric potential, exactly like a battery. Because of their electric skills, electric eels may even manipulate the neurological system of their victim. They control the neurological system and muscles of the prey in this manner, allowing them to hunt.