What makes electricity go from the sub station to peoples' homes?  How does it know what direction to flow in?
152701
It goes from the substation to people's homes because of the difference in "electrical potential" which is measured in volts.  In the U.S., this difference is about 110 volts (relative to the earth or "ground").  Think of a ball rolling down a hill.  It goes from high potential (the top of the hill) to low potential (the bottom of the hill).\n\nAs to what direction it goes, it doesn't realy matter in one sense.  Electricity running through a light bulb will light it up regardless of the direction that the electrons are going.  So the power stations actually use alternating currents.  This means the levels of voltage go from high to very low (negative) several times per second (in fact it changes 60 times per second in the U.S., hence it's called 60 hertz).  So for a while the electrons flow one way, and then they flow the other.
551210
Your question is not clear at all, but let me guess a little.\n\nAre you asking for the function of each component in the circuit ???\n\nIf so, light bulb will be the load.\nConductor is the mean for the current to flow.\nswitch, is for closing or opening the circuit\ninsulation, to keep conductors to short the circuit.\nmeter, to measure the voltage or current or power being used at some time.\nbattery is the power source to get the circuit to work.\n\nNow I guess I earn 10 points for best and only answer.
1009241
AC stand for alternating current.  AC current can oscillate at whatever frequency (# times per second, usually expressed in Hertz, Hz) you want it to.  However, the power that comes into your house oscillates at 60 in the US and 50 in Europe.  This has to do with the development of electricity.  They had to sync up the phases when they created it and they would do this by hooking up the two sources to lightbulbs that would flash at each peak.  50 or 60 times a second is about the maximum cycle rate visible by the human eye.\n\nPositive and negative current denote which direction electrons are flowing.\n\nNothing will happen if you touch positive or negative current, just don't touch both at the same time.
846799
It takes energy to push that current through your lights and appliances, and that's what your paying for. One way to see it is to consider that what comes out the downstream prong is at 0 volts and therefore of no use to anyone. Or, you could just wire all your lamps in series and see how that works!
308043
That depends on which device we're talking about. If it's a TV, then yes, it uses about the same amount of power turned off as if every single light-bulb in your house was turned on. If we're talking about a toaster, the constant loss of energy is so small it is practically impossible to measure. In general, the more complex the device (i.e. the more 'lingering potentials' and wire the device has) the more power it will consume from the outlet when turned off.\n\nActually, even a single piece of wire can be considered a device, and will thus consume power when plugged into the outlet (it also has to hit the right hole, but that is another talk).\n\nedit: Mr. Curious gives an entirely wrong interpretation of current. It doesn't run along the wire, but should rather be considered as a river. If there is no waterfall at the end, there will be no flow - but the water will still very slowly sink into the ground and vaporize into the air.
123225
electricity or power obtained from moving water\nmainly from dams and tide power plants
74815
no that is why our electricity is ran house to house in ac.  it is safer to operate ac and also more energy efficient.
301222
Voltage is the parameter of electricity which causes current to flow when a circuit is completed. Voltage is always presented in an energized line, whether or not the circuit is complete. When the circit is complete, we say that electricity is flowing.\n\nHence, it is said that a cell is an electrictiy generating device.
113532
Most homes have indoor plumbing, electricity, and running water. Cable TV  and internet access are big ones too. I grew up with a LOT of people who didn't have electricity/water and that was in the 80s and 90s! Now, where I am from, about 75% have electricity and water.
212281
Generally, appliances use electricity.  Some small amount of it is transformed to movement or light.  The majority of electricity is transformed to hear, which is dissipated to the environment.  Waste hear generated in this manner cannot effectively be captured and used for anything useful.  However, the waste heat generated by the refrigerator, light bulbs, and ovens will reduce the heat needed to keep your house warm in the winter.
962570
It will flow in either direction if the voltage is above 0.7 volts
888374
Conductors allow electricity to flow through them with little resistance.  Resistors resist the flow of electricity.
441897
Many Power Companies do allow this, and they pay you for the electricity you generate.  It's sometimes called "co-generation".  You have to get the hardware set up so that the power you generate goes back onto the grid safely.\n\nAhhhh, to live free and off the grid.
319323
It means, you are using their electricity.  The faster it moves the more you are consuming.  Try this link:
790382
Power is defined as the rate of flow of energy past a given point. In alternating current circuits, energy storage elements such as inductance and capacitance may result in periodic reversals of the direction of energy flow. The portion of power flow that, averaged over a complete cycle of the AC waveform, results in net transfer of energy in one direction is known as real power. On the other hand, the portion of power flow due to stored energy, which returns to the source in each cycle, is known as reactive power.\n\nCalculating Reactive Power in AC Circuits \n\nThe reactive power is the power returned to the source by the reactive components of the circuit. This type of power is measured in Volt-Amperes-Reactive, abbreviated var. \n\nReactive power is calculated by using the voltage and current associated with the circuit reactance. \n\nFor more details refer the pages...\nhttp://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/13596_Mark_Lively_Response_Reactive_Power_Charges.pdf?wtfrom=/ofgem/work/index.jsp&section=/liveconsultation
76334
In alternating current circuits, energy storage elements such as inductance and capacitance may result in periodic reversals of the direction of energy flow. The portion of power flow that, averaged over a complete cycle of the AC waveform, results in net transfer of energy in one direction is known as real power. That portion of power flow due to stored energy, that returns to the source in each cycle, is known as reactive power.
990524
Good question.  I believe you can make electricity "wireless" but only in a straight line, sort of.  The reason, I believe, is becuase electricity goes on the path of least resistance, like water.  If you pour water down a stone it'll zig-zag because it's easier and less resistant, but if you want it to go from one stone to another, you need some time of channel to direct it there.  It's just not gonna jump there.\nAs far as making it wireless, like a wireless modem, it's pretty much impossible, because it's gonna go to the best and easiest conductor like a piece of metal that's closest to it.\nI'm not a master electrician or a scientest of any sort, but it makes sense.