A Basic Introduction to Electrical Quantities – Part 1

Ever come across words like ‘Charge’ or ‘Current’? Well, if you have, you’d agree that these terms were confusing. But, when dealing with electrical systems, it is always necessary to know what you’re talking about.

In this blog, we’re going to “educate” you on electrical quantities like voltage and charge. Knowing what these terms mean can be of great help. So, let’s begin.

Voltage

Voltage, which is represented by a ‘V,’ is basically the measurement of potential difference. You see, when we bring two bodies with opposite charges together, we create a difference in charge. This creates pressure, which pushes charged electrons through a conducting loop.

Voltage is what allows a bulb to burn and even determines how bright it burns.

Charge

Electricity, as a concept, is something we’ve borrowed from our understanding of nature. There is always a force that exists between objects. This force can act or stay inactive depending on the distance. The source of this force is what we call the charge. Opposite charges attract each other while same charges repel each other.

Current

A current is the total number of charges that pass through the boundary per unit time. This brings up the question of how current is carried. To understand this, let’s use the example of a metal rod. You see, in metal, the electrons move freely. These moving electrons are what create a current.

Charged objects function in response to magnetic forces and electric forces. The forces themselves originate from magnetic and electric fields, which, in turn, originate as the result of the motion and position of other charges. This is how current is created.

Insulators and conductors

Conductors are composed of atoms that have very weak bonds with their nuclei. When you put a variety of metals together, they will begin to share their outer electrons with each other. This creates a massive crowding of electrons that are not bonded with a specific nucleus

So, even a tiny bit of electric force can make this gathering of electrons move. Most metals are examples of good conductors.

Insulators, on the other hand, have electrons that are tightly bonded with the nucleus. As a result, standard electric forces do not pull them apart. When an electric force is applied, the electrons crowd around the atom experiencing deformation.

However, they do not depart from the surface. This is why insulators are highly effective in terms of safety and protection from electrical charges.