Electricity
First, a few facts about energy generally: There are several different kinds of energy in nature - Electrical, Gravitational, Mechanical, Physical, Mental, and Emotional. The First Law of Energy: "Energy cannot be created nor destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another". This law was first proposed by Lord Kelvin (OBE,BTU), who used this law in the development of the Kelvinator, an early form of Frigidaire, or refrigerator, known today as "reefer".Electricity can be "made" (remember the First Law!) in several ways. One way is to go fly a kite in a thunderstorm (Be Careful!).
Another way (preferred) is to block a river, and then let the dammed water flow over a windmill. The rotating windmill causes two wires to rub together, making the electrons living in the wires to run to the other end. This is an excellent example of the Conversion of Energy: the current from the flowing river is converted to current flowing along the wire!
Now that we know how to "make" electricity; let's think about the other part of the equation - what we can use it for!
Electricity is used in a myriad ways today.
The main thing we do with it is --- we waste it! Electricity's major use is to Heat Empty Spaces, Cool Empty Spaces. and Light Empty Spaces. It is also sometimes used to fill empty spaces with the sound of "music".
The number two use of electricity is for manufacturing. Electricity is used in (Manu)Factories to make almost anything we want but don't really need: Cars, Cosmetics, TV Dinners and other foodlike items, Levis, iPods, and "stuff" in general. The list is endless! Ummm, now that I look at it, I don't think any of that stuff (except maybe for the TV Dinners) is actually "manufactured" in the US anymore. In any case, this is proof that electricty, like political donations,is fungible; electricity used to make "stuff" we don't need could also be considered in category 1, above (wasted).
In pretty much a tie for third place is electicity used to light up houses - where it is intended to warn people that the occupants are awake and alert, so they should stay away; and commercial buildings - which are lit up like Christmas trees inside and out, hoping to make people think something interesting is going on, and attract them! It's an interesting duality. I have yet to figure if all this light shining in people's eyes has either effect. It's been going on for over a century now, and I guess the jury is still out.
The fifth (remember, there are two number 3's) most common use for electricity is (are you ready for this?) - to power appliances that are "off." Yes; many years ago, Lord Magnavox (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. etc.) discovered that if he wired your television or other essential appliance so that "OFF" really meant "ON - but not so you can use it," people would be happier. Their electric meters would continue to turn happily, thus avoiding a breakdown in the delivery of power to the home (and billing for same).
As I said earlier, electricity has a myriad of uses today. I have mentioned only a few of the most common. The other hundreds of uses perhaps adding up in the aggregate to as much as use number five (providing electricity to appliances that are "OFF").
So, when your local (or national) Candidate For President starts talking about "Clean Power" or "Green Power" remember: He-Or-She isn't talking about electricity. He-Or-She is talking about just plain power (His-Or-Her own).
Next: Energy: Part 2. Combustion
