Amazing Facts about Electric Current

The modern society relies heavily on the versatility and the convenience of electricity. It helps light our houses, lets us watch television, powers our computer and microwave, run industries and so much more.

Electricity is a type of energy that flows from one place to another. When electricity gathers only in one place it is called as static electricity. But the electricity that moves or flows from one place to another is known as electric current. The current is simply the flow of electric charge. Some interesting and amazing facts about electric current are provided below.

  • Electricity travels at the speed of light, i.e. more than 186 thousand miles per second.
  • Electricity was never invented, it was discovered.
  • The muscle cells in the human heart are contracted by electricity that runs throughout the body. It plays a very important role in the way the human heart functions.
  • Thomas Edison did not invent the first light bulb. But Edison invented the one that stayed lit for a few seconds.
  • Electric eels can produce electric shocks of about 500 volts. RRls use it for both hunting and self-defense.
  • Opposite charges i.e. a positive charge and a negative charge attract each other. Whereas two negative charges repel each other, as do two positive charges
  • An average taser emits around 50 thousand volts.

  • The largest source of electricity is fossil fuels. But renewable sources of energy like the sun, water and wind can also produce electricity.
  • Iceland was the first country in the world to produce all its electricity from renewable energy sources.
  • Electric current plays a very important role in electromagnetism. The Ampere’s Law shows that show magnetic field is generated by an electric current.
  • Benjamin Franklin was not the first person who discovered electricity. But Franklin proved that lighting is a form of electricity.
  • The biggest source of energy in the world for the production of electricity is coal.
  • ECG (Electrocardiogram) is used in hospitals to measure the electricity flowing through a patient’s heart. The machine displays a line which spikes with every heartbeat.
  • A single power plant can produce electricity for about 180 thousand homes.
  • For domestic use, 230 Volts is the standard in UK households while in the USA the standard is 115 Volts.
  • An American inventor named William Morrison build the first successful electric car in the year 1891.

These were some interesting facts about electricity. Subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube Channel and watch engaging video lessons on various science and math topics.