Electricity is electrons flowing through a conductor.
In an atom, electrons orbit around a collection of protons and optionally neutrons.
In an atom, electrons exist as energy “shells” at varying layers around the proton/neutron core.
Bonus points to the people who can explain why these are all false and what the reality (as we currently understand it) is. Transformers are a clue for the first one :)
For the electricity one, I’m guessing you’re thinking of AC, where electrons move back and forth instead of continuously. But DC current does actually involve electrons moving continuously in one direction. Even a DC transformer is theoretically a thing, though I’ve never known one to be used as a transformer (usually a similar thing is used for electrical isolation, but it’s a similar idea under the hood).
Or you’re making the distinction that electrons don’t move through a conductor, they move along (the outside) of a conductor (mostly).
Mostly the second, along with the fact that it’s the overall field (EM force) that induces movement along the outside, not a flow of water-like electrons through the physical material that results in electricity.
I’m sure it could be explained better, but for points 2 and 3 is it because electrons aren’t particles but perturbances in the electromagnetic field the probability distribution of which is described by the energy shells of atoms?
Kinda-sorta, except that even the shells are a misnomer; the distribution includes points that would place the electron inside the area described by the protons/neutrons, because none of them are particles; they’re all interacting forces in flux until measured.
Here’s a few for you:
Electricity is electrons flowing through a conductor.
In an atom, electrons orbit around a collection of protons and optionally neutrons.
In an atom, electrons exist as energy “shells” at varying layers around the proton/neutron core.
Bonus points to the people who can explain why these are all false and what the reality (as we currently understand it) is. Transformers are a clue for the first one :)
For the electricity one, I’m guessing you’re thinking of AC, where electrons move back and forth instead of continuously. But DC current does actually involve electrons moving continuously in one direction. Even a DC transformer is theoretically a thing, though I’ve never known one to be used as a transformer (usually a similar thing is used for electrical isolation, but it’s a similar idea under the hood).
Or you’re making the distinction that electrons don’t move through a conductor, they move along (the outside) of a conductor (mostly).
Mostly the second, along with the fact that it’s the overall field (EM force) that induces movement along the outside, not a flow of water-like electrons through the physical material that results in electricity.
I’m sure it could be explained better, but for points 2 and 3 is it because electrons aren’t particles but perturbances in the electromagnetic field the probability distribution of which is described by the energy shells of atoms?
Kinda-sorta, except that even the shells are a misnomer; the distribution includes points that would place the electron inside the area described by the protons/neutrons, because none of them are particles; they’re all interacting forces in flux until measured.