Electricity] 1.

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Table of Contents
0:00 Opening
0:21 The true nature of electricity
0:33 Contents of copper atoms
1:11 What's in the Copper Wire
1:39 Applying voltage to copper wire
2:08 Electricity and Water

Electricity: What it is

I use electricity without thinking about it, but I don't know what the heck electricity is.

Let's learn together about electricity, which we use casually in our daily lives, from the basics!

In this article, we will explain the basis of all this: what electricity is in the first place.

Please read this article to the end, as it will help you understand the basics of electricity and challenge your electronic skills.

The true nature of electricity

Let's dive into the microscopic world first to see what electricity looks like.

What is Electricity?
It is the flow of electrons in a certain direction, and those electrons are originally contained in the atom.

Contents of copper atoms

The following figure shows the contents of a copper atom at the microscopic level.

Contents of copper atoms

It has a structure with a nucleus with positive properties at the center and electrons circling around it.

Since the number of pluses and minuses are equal, the overall effect is electrically neutral.

Electrically neutral

Electrons are circled in layers, with the inner electrons very strongly bound to the nucleus, while the outermost electrons are further away from the center and have weaker binding strength.

Contents of copper atoms

A simple model of this relationship shows that the center is positive and negative electrons orbit around it, as shown in the figure below.

Contents of copper atoms

Copper Wire Contents

Now we will go into the copper wire that is part of the circuit.

As shown in the figure below, copper wire is made up of many copper atoms in a row.

Copper Wire Contents

The outermost electrons are less bonded, so when copper atoms are next to each other, they share each other's electron pathways, allowing electrons to move freely back and forth.

Copper Wire Contents

In this state, however, the electrons are still just moving around randomly in various places, and it cannot be said that electricity is flowing.

Copper Wire Contents

Here, the application of an external force causes the electrons to move simultaneously in that direction.

Apply voltage to copper wire

Only at this point does electricity flow.

Apply voltage to copper wire

The force applied from outside is called "voltage" and the flow of electrons is called "current.

Apply voltage to copper wire

Note that the direction of electrons and the direction of current are opposite.

Since we are only talking about the definition of the word "which is the standard," there is no need to think too much about it!

Next, I will explain that the properties of electricity and water are very similar.

Electricity and Water Properties

We will look at the flow of electrons in turn.

STEP.1
電圧が加わり、一番プラスに近い電子がプラス側に移動する
electron flow
STEP.2
STEP.3
electron flow

By repeating this process, a flow of electrons is created.

Electricity and Water

On the other hand, let's look at how the water world works with water in the plumbing.

STEP.1
Water World
STEP.2
STEP.3
Water World

By repeating this process, it becomes a water stream.

I hope you now understand that electricity and water have similar properties.

summary

In this article, we have explained the basis of all this: what electricity is in the first place.

Even if you are just starting out with electronics, you will be able to enjoy electronics more as you gain a better understanding of electricity.

We also post other videos and articles that help beginners learn electronics from scratch in a systematic way, including explanations of the minimum knowledge and tools that a beginner in electronics should acquire.

If you are just getting started with electronics, be sure to check out our other articles and videos!