electricity/electrons?

electricity/electrons? [+ favourites]

What happens to the electrons once electricity is “used” by an appliance?
Since electrons can not be destroyed and there is not supposed to be current on a neutral wire……this might be a stupid question but I need an answer…anyone???

""Veritatem quaere et insaniam inveni""

What is electricity? electromagnetic force => flow of electrons?
while the field (force) generated by batteries would support the idea of electrons flowing, plugging in a/c of the home receptical is inductive of alternating field strength.
either way, the force (energy) is changed in form, heat by the resistance of the element of the water heater; heat & light in the element of the light bulb; heat & mechanical energy of the garage door opener, electric can opener,electric tooth brush, etc.

"Terrorist or tyrant, few may come to the Truth that both are poor choice."

correct but if you take it down a notch what i am actualy asking is:
what happens to the electron which hops from atom to atom enters your home receptical even though there is heat ect..
electrons can not be destroyed so where do they travel to from there?

""Veritatem quaere et insaniam inveni""

Absolute Zero Kelvin
http://www.captaincynic.com/thread.php3/thrdid=20300-u-page=0#22393 Like heat, electric charge will flow to having less (potention) energy. Electro-motive force (emf) voltage is the (difference) potential energy, current is the measure of flow. Alternating current (a/c) generation of electromagnetic fields increase & decrease periodicly as a sine wave.

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what happens to the electron which hops from atom to atom enters your home receptical even though there is heat ect..

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"Terrorist or tyrant, few may come to the Truth that both are poor choice."
[  Edited by cturtle at   ]

Nevertheless, we haven’t answered the original question or should we say questions?
Webster's New World Dictionary of Science

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element: substance that can not be spilt chemically into a simpler substance.
The atoms of a particular element, all have the same # of protons in their nucleus. ( their atomic #)
The elements are classified in the =>periodic chart.

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electron: Stable negatively charged =>elementary particle, a constituent of all atoms & a member of the class of particles known as =>lepions.
The electrons in each atom surrounds the nucleus in grouping called shells, this electron structure is responsible for the chemical properties of the atom [element ] ( See atomic structure)

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quantum number: In Physics, one of a set of four numbers [values] that uniquely characterize an =>electron & its state in the =>atom.
The principle quantum # n defines the main electron shell;
the orbital quantum # L relates to angular momentum;
magnetic quantum # m describes the energies of electrons in a magnetic field;
spin quantum # gives the direction of [rotation] spin of the electron. [Maxwell’s screw ]

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electromagnetic force: One of the four fundamental =>forces of nature;
the other 3 being: gravity; strong & weak nuclear forces. (quantum)

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electromotive force: (emf) loosely, the voltage produced by an electric battery or generator;
more precisely, the energy supplied by a source, of electric power in driving, a unit charges [flux] around an electric circuit.

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"Terrorist or tyrant, few may come to the Truth that both are poor choice."

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what happens to the electron which hops from atom to atom enters your home receptical even though there is heat ect..
electrons can not be destroyed so where do they travel to from there?

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"Terrorist or tyrant, few may come to the Truth that both are poor choice."

I'll take the example of batteries as they're the ones I know best. In a battery there are two pairs of chemicals (one usually solid, the other disovled). Electricity flows by transforming 2 chemicals into the other 2 chemicals.

The disolved chemicals have a "natural" concentratrion. If the concentration is below that point, the electrons flow one way, if its above that point the electrons flow the other.

It takes energy to make the electrons flow the "wrong" way. A battery gives you energy by having the chemicals try to get back to their "natural" concentrations and thus have electrons flow. Once they hit the "natural" concentration, it stops flowing and it will now take energy to make the electrons move (instead of give energy).

That's for batteries anyway.

"Durch Nacht und Blut das Licht"

Good point, in fact chemistry uses variations of acid-base, oxidation-reduction to describe quantitvely analysis of the driving forces of chemical reaction.
The dynamics of concentration & reverse reaction, Organic chemistry deal with concentration of reactants => product ratio of product => reactants and the ratio of various side reaction [bi-product] concentrations.

"Terrorist or tyrant, few may come to the Truth that both are poor choice."