Magnetism-The Electrical Grid

Transformer

device that reduces voltage to safer levels

Alternating current

current that constantly switches directions, creates a magnetic field that switches directions, which induces a current

Voltage in secondary coil

V₁/N₁=V₁N₂

Power

P=IV

Diode

device that allows current to flow through it in only one direction

Voltage for AC

varies gradually; when loop is perpendicular to field, you get max flux, when it is parallel, you get zero flux

Capacitor

can smooth out the bumps in a current by charging up when it flows one way and discharging when it flows the other way

Inductor

solenoid attached to the circuit on either end; resists changes in current in the electric circuit

Self-induction

short burst of current is created by inductor to oppose a reduction in current

Frequency of circuit oscillation

f=1/2π√LC

Magnitude of Oscillation

if there is a driving force with the same frequency as a system’s resonant frequency, system will oscillate with a greater magnitude

Frank Hauksbee

invented the first electric light in 1705

Barometric light

mercury barometer that, when shaken, caused the mercury to shed electrons onto the interior of the glass container, ionizing the gas inside and creating light

Humphrey Davy

invented the arc lamp

Arc lamp

first electric light to see widespread use, creates a large enough voltage between two pieces of metal to result in dielectric breakdown, generating a mini lightning bolt

Incandescent lights

emit light by causing a solid object to heat up enough that it glows

Thomas Edison

first to build an entire infrastructure around powering light bulbs in cities

George Westinghouse

founded his own electric company, used alternating current to produce light

Mikhail Dolivo-Dobrovolsky

invented a three-phase generator

Three-phase generator

allowed an efficient transfer of current over long distances using AC

Alexander Just & Franjo Hanaman

inventors of the tungsten lightbulb

Tungsten lightbulb

more efficient and longer-lasting than carbon light bulbs and became the international standard

Nikola Tesla

worked for Edison’s electric company in his early career, invented the Tesla coil

Tesla coil

creates a voltage on a metal ball on top of a coil of wire that is high enough to shoot lightning bolts into the air