topic 2: Electricity

• Electric charge


  A fundamental property of matter everywhere
• Conductors, semiconductors and insulators

  • Differences in microstructure
  • Enables design of components and electric circuits
• Mains electricity


  Powers many circuits
• Batteries


  Power portable electrical devices
• Electrical power


  • Provides artificial light and sound
  • Provides information and entertainment
  • Enables remote sensing and control
• Fundamentals of electromagnetism were worked out

  19th century
• Power stations, like all machines, have a limited lifetime
• Demand for more electricity

  Requires building new power stations in every generation
• A mix of power stations is needed to promise a sustainable future