Difference between revisions of "Tuto electrical"
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| − | Welcome, we salute you on | + | Welcome, noble player, we salute you on starting your journey into the world of electricity! |
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| − | + | This tutorial aims to introduce to you the fundamentals of electricity, which will accompany you as you progress and learn not only how to manipulate it but also how to utilize it. As you might have noticed before coming here this mod is trying to come as close as possible to real life physics, so to have an easier time playing with Electrical Age (Henceforth referred to as Eln), we will aim to supply you with an introductory level of knowledge about electricity. | |
| − | + | To those who already have some knowledge, you should know that Eln models [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_current Direct Current (DC)], not [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current Alternating Current (AC)]. This is always true, even though some blocks appear as they would have for an AC system. | |
| − | To talk about any numbers in | + | == Basics of Electricity == |
| − | * '''Voltage - V''' - How | + | |
| − | * '''Current - I''' - How many electrons are passing through a slice of the wire | + | Electricity is defined as the movement of free electrons. Everything around you is harnessing this motion, your TV, stereo, personal computer, etc. |
| − | * '''Resistance | + | |
| + | To talk about any numbers in electricity, we need to understand three fundamental principles: | ||
| + | * '''Voltage - V''' - How strong is the force that pushes the electrons forward | ||
| + | * '''Current - I''' - How many electrons are passing through a slice of the wire in a given time | ||
| + | * '''Resistance - R''' - The material's natural tendency to resist the free movement (flow) of electrons | ||
These three values are all used to describe the same thing, the movement of electrons. In our case the movement always happens in a closed loop also known as a circuit. Its the elements that we place in the circuit that allow us to harness the power of the movement. | These three values are all used to describe the same thing, the movement of electrons. In our case the movement always happens in a closed loop also known as a circuit. Its the elements that we place in the circuit that allow us to harness the power of the movement. | ||
| − | To further explain these principles we will use a common analogy with a water tank. | + | To further explain these principles, we will use a common analogy with a water tank. |
=== Voltage === | === Voltage === | ||
| − | As mentioned before we will be using analogies of a water tank to explain the terms. | + | As mentioned before, we will be using analogies of a water tank to explain the terms. |
| − | In this image | + | In this image, voltage is displayed as pressure that the water itself is pushing it out of the tank (The force that pushes waters downwards towards the end of the tank) |
[[File:voltage.png|center]] | [[File:voltage.png|center]] | ||
| − | The pressure at the end of the tank | + | The pressure at the end of the tank represents voltage, a higher water level will result in more pressure (and thus, more voltage). This analogy is used to display that voltage is the force that pushes electrons. |
| − | The tank can also be viewed as a form of storage | + | The tank can also be viewed as a form of storage. As we use up the water in the tank and the pressure goes lower, so does the voltage from a battery that results in a lower overall voltage. A practical example would be a light getting dimmer in a flashlight as you use up the battery. |
=== Current === | === Current === | ||
| − | The analogy to ''Current - | + | The analogy to ''Current - how many electrons are passing through a slice of the wire at a given time period (usually a second)'' - can be shown as the amount of water flowing out over a certain period of time. We can count the electrons in wires or the volume of water. In this example, 1 liter of water passes the end of the tank per second, or to make 1 '''ampere''' (amp). We would need to move 624,100,000,000,000,000 electrons through a slice of wire in 1 second (pretty many, eh ?). |
[[File:current.png|center]] | [[File:current.png|center]] | ||
| − | As you can see the height of the water inside the tanks is at the same level, that means the voltage is the same ( or the pressure pushing down the water) but the amount of water going out is different | + | As you can see the height of the water inside the tanks is at the same level, that means the voltage is the same (or the pressure pushing down the water), but the amount of water going out is different because the hose at the end is a lot wider, thus ending up with a higher current (flow). |
=== Resistance === | === Resistance === | ||
| − | In a perfect world there would be no resistance and | + | In a perfect world, there would be no resistance and electricity could pass freely, but in reality it is nothing like this. To display resistance, we will view electricity and the water flow as a movement / motion. In the water tank example, you can see the size of the hose differs thus making it easier for the water to flow or the opposite being fairly small and resisting the flow. In wires we have other molecules or atoms that affect how easily can the free electrons move in the closed loop. Resistance is measured in ohms, and can be described as the resistance between two points that require the Voltage ( force / pushing power ) of 1 volt to move 1 ampere worth of Current ( electrons). |
=== Ohm's Law === | === Ohm's Law === | ||
| − | Combining the principles we just learned, Ohm used them | + | Combining the principles we just learned, Ohm used them to develop a formula: |
'''<big>V = I * R</big>''' | '''<big>V = I * R</big>''' | ||
| − | Where the letters are : | + | Where the letters are: |
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| − | + | * V - Voltage (measured in Volts) | |
| + | * I - Current (May also be called Amperage, measured in Amps) | ||
| + | * R - Resistance (measured in Ohms) | ||
| − | + | == Practical example == | |
| − | + | [[File:Cable%2Blight.png|400px|A schematic of what we will be analyzing]] | |
| − | + | [[File:Source_lamp_3d.png|400px|A representation of the circuit ingame]] | |
| − | + | Voltage provided by a creative voltage source (blue box) = 200 V (volts) | |
| − | + | We are given the resistance value of the lamp = 1333Ω (ohms) | |
| − | To find the current we will have to apply Ohm's Law | + | Cable resistance = 0.1Ω/m * 1 meters of cable = 0.1Ω |
| − | Current = Source voltage / Total resistance = 200V/ | + | <pre> |
| + | Total resistance = lamp resistance + cable resistance = (1.3kΩ + 0.1Ω) = 1.3kΩ | ||
| + | </pre> | ||
| + | To find the current we will have to apply Ohm's Law (see [[Electricity]] for more information) | ||
| + | <pre> | ||
| + | Current = Source voltage / Total resistance = 200V/1.3kΩ = 0.15 A | ||
| + | </pre> | ||
Latest revision as of 19:30, 3 August 2019
Welcome, noble player, we salute you on starting your journey into the world of electricity!
This tutorial aims to introduce to you the fundamentals of electricity, which will accompany you as you progress and learn not only how to manipulate it but also how to utilize it. As you might have noticed before coming here this mod is trying to come as close as possible to real life physics, so to have an easier time playing with Electrical Age (Henceforth referred to as Eln), we will aim to supply you with an introductory level of knowledge about electricity.
To those who already have some knowledge, you should know that Eln models Direct Current (DC), not Alternating Current (AC). This is always true, even though some blocks appear as they would have for an AC system.
Contents
Basics of Electricity
Electricity is defined as the movement of free electrons. Everything around you is harnessing this motion, your TV, stereo, personal computer, etc.
To talk about any numbers in electricity, we need to understand three fundamental principles:
- Voltage - V - How strong is the force that pushes the electrons forward
- Current - I - How many electrons are passing through a slice of the wire in a given time
- Resistance - R - The material's natural tendency to resist the free movement (flow) of electrons
These three values are all used to describe the same thing, the movement of electrons. In our case the movement always happens in a closed loop also known as a circuit. Its the elements that we place in the circuit that allow us to harness the power of the movement. To further explain these principles, we will use a common analogy with a water tank.
Voltage
As mentioned before, we will be using analogies of a water tank to explain the terms. In this image, voltage is displayed as pressure that the water itself is pushing it out of the tank (The force that pushes waters downwards towards the end of the tank)
The pressure at the end of the tank represents voltage, a higher water level will result in more pressure (and thus, more voltage). This analogy is used to display that voltage is the force that pushes electrons. The tank can also be viewed as a form of storage. As we use up the water in the tank and the pressure goes lower, so does the voltage from a battery that results in a lower overall voltage. A practical example would be a light getting dimmer in a flashlight as you use up the battery.
Current
The analogy to Current - how many electrons are passing through a slice of the wire at a given time period (usually a second) - can be shown as the amount of water flowing out over a certain period of time. We can count the electrons in wires or the volume of water. In this example, 1 liter of water passes the end of the tank per second, or to make 1 ampere (amp). We would need to move 624,100,000,000,000,000 electrons through a slice of wire in 1 second (pretty many, eh ?).
As you can see the height of the water inside the tanks is at the same level, that means the voltage is the same (or the pressure pushing down the water), but the amount of water going out is different because the hose at the end is a lot wider, thus ending up with a higher current (flow).
Resistance
In a perfect world, there would be no resistance and electricity could pass freely, but in reality it is nothing like this. To display resistance, we will view electricity and the water flow as a movement / motion. In the water tank example, you can see the size of the hose differs thus making it easier for the water to flow or the opposite being fairly small and resisting the flow. In wires we have other molecules or atoms that affect how easily can the free electrons move in the closed loop. Resistance is measured in ohms, and can be described as the resistance between two points that require the Voltage ( force / pushing power ) of 1 volt to move 1 ampere worth of Current ( electrons).
Ohm's Law
Combining the principles we just learned, Ohm used them to develop a formula:
V = I * R
Where the letters are:
- V - Voltage (measured in Volts)
- I - Current (May also be called Amperage, measured in Amps)
- R - Resistance (measured in Ohms)
Practical example
Voltage provided by a creative voltage source (blue box) = 200 V (volts)
We are given the resistance value of the lamp = 1333Ω (ohms)
Cable resistance = 0.1Ω/m * 1 meters of cable = 0.1Ω
Total resistance = lamp resistance + cable resistance = (1.3kΩ + 0.1Ω) = 1.3kΩ
To find the current we will have to apply Ohm's Law (see Electricity for more information)
Current = Source voltage / Total resistance = 200V/1.3kΩ = 0.15 A
