In a simple definition, electrical energy is one form of energy generated from the flow of electric charges. In a detailed explanation, energy is a measurement to do “work” or applying force to change or move “something”.
What is the Definition of Electrical Energy?
Electrical energy is an energy that is generated when electrons are moving from one point to another point. This energy is simply produced by the movement of electrons or charges.
In other words, electrical energy is the energy converted from the kinetic energy or potential energy of the electrical charges.
Electrical energy is energy related to forces on electrically-charged particles and the movement of those particles. This energy is supplied by the combination of current and electric potential that is delivered by a circuit.
There are several types of electricity, some of them are static electricity and current electricity.
What are Examples of Electrical Energy?
In order to make us understand definition of electrical energy, observe a simple illustration below.
When there is a potential difference (V) between point A and B, the current (I) will start moving from one point to another point, in this case from point A to B, from positive pole to the negative pole. These moving electrons (e) happen in a particular time (t).
Keep in mind that electrons (e) are moving from the negative pole, but to make it convenient, the electric current is illustrated flowing from the positive pole (higher potential) to negative pole (lower potential).
Let us say the potential at the point A is higher than the point B, thus at point A there are less electrons than at point B.
Then the electrical current will flow from point A to point B, the electrons (e) will flow in the opposite direction. Electrical current is the flow rate of charge through a conductor.
Then, we can measure the electric current by
Where:
I = electric current, measured in Ampere (A)
Q = electric charges, measured in Coulomb (C)
t = time, measured in seconds
Translating the equation above, an electric current (I) is the quantity of electric charges (Q) moving through a conductor in a given time (t).
Unit of Electrical Energy and Formula
The voltage is measured by the Work done (W) by the electrical charge divided by the electrical charges in the circuit (Q).
Where:
V = voltage or potential difference, measured in Volts (V)
W = work done, measured in Joule (J)
Q = electrical charges, measured in Coulomb (C)
We rearrange the equation into
And
Thus,
Hence,
Where
P = power , measured in Watts (W)
I = electrical current, measured in Amperes (A)
t = time, measured in seconds (s)
This is why the unit of electrical energy (W) can either be Joule (J) or watt-second.
Furthermore,
Electrical energy is an energy consumed in an electrical energy where one Joule or watt-second is when the current flowing through the circuit exactly at one ampere for one second for one volt applied across it.
Maybe we are not familiar with Joule or watt-second, but observing your electric meter installed in your house, you will find kWh or kilowatt-hour. This is the same with watt-second but with greater scale.
