ELECT. ARTICLES |
ASK! |
GOOD STUFF  |
NEW STUFF  |
SEARCH

Frequently-Asked
ELECTRICITY
Questions
Also see: Electricity Misconceptions, Electricity Articles, and Science Answers

(Listed somewhat in order of popularity.)

  

©1997 William J. Beaty
  1. What is electricity?
  2. Come on, what is electricity, REALLY?
  3. If electrons flow slowly, why do the lights turn on so fast?
  4. How do we make electricity?
  5. How do we make electric currents?
  6. Which way does the current go? Negative to positive?
  7. What's the difference between voltage and current?
  8. What is alternating and direct current? AC versus DC?"
  9. What's the difference between AC and DC?
  1. Are electric currents only on the surface of a wire?
  2. What is electric charge?
  3. What is Static Electricity?
  4. What happens during a "static" shock?
  5. Which value of voltage is "high voltage?"
  6. Why is Static Electricity invisible?
  7. Why is "ground" important electrically?
  8. What is Electrical Energy?
  9. In a simple circuit, WHERE is the Electrical Energy?
  10. How are Watts different than Amps?
  1. How are Watts, Volts, Amps, and Ohms related?
  2. What is voltage?
  3. Why is voltage *not* "electrical pressure?"
  4. Why do outlets have three holes?
  5. What's the difference between "static" and "current"?
  6. Which is more dangerous, AC or DC?
  7. Which is more dangerous, high voltage or high current?
  8. Why does the electric company bill us, since it takes back all of the electrons it gives us?
  9. How does the electricity know that no appliance is plugged in?
  10. Why are TWO wires always needed?
  1. Could electricity work with just one wire?
  2. Does turning on a light bulb waste lots of energy?
  3. Why do batteries get "used up" and "go dead?"
  4. Inside a battery, wouldn't the conductive liquid act as a short circuit?
  5. Why doesn't the incoming electricity run out onto the carpet?
  6. How can we convert AC into DC, and vice versa?
  7. Why is electricity visible in sparks, but invisible when inside the wires?
  8. How can electrons in wires move slowly, while energy moves fast?
  9. Why can birds land on power lines without being electrocuted?
  10. How do light bulbs light up?
  1. Why do AC motors run forward, rather than vibrating back and forth?
  2. What's the difference between big and small batteries?
  3. What's the difference between "power" and "energy?"
  4. Why can't batteries electrocute people?
  5. Why are electric outlets AC rather than DC
  6. What is this "complete circuit" stuff about?

QAnswers not yet finished:


To submit a question to this FAQ, use the COMMENTS FORM

Also see: Electricity Misconceptions, Electricity Articles
and Science Answers
http://amasci.com/elect/elefaq.html
Created and maintained by Bill Beaty. Mail me at: .
View My Stats