The Science of Electricity

  Electric Potential and Potential Difference We know that when a body is lifted through certain height above the ground level, work is done against the force of gravity and is stored as a potential energy in the body. Hence such a body which is raised above the ground level can be said to have a gravitational potential. Obviously, the total potential energy and hence, the gravitational potential of a body is a function of its position with respect to earth. Here the example is very much analogous to the Electric Field around a charge. Now consider that a small isolated positive charge q is placed at a far distance let’s say infinity with respect another positive charge Q. Theoretically the electric field of the positive charge reaches upto infinity but in the practical sense it’s influence on positive charge q which is placed at infinity is very negligible. Fig. 1 : Two isolated charges  If this charge q is shifted near to Q and brought at the same point X s

P-N Junction Diode The P-N junction itself forms the most basic semiconductor device called Semiconductor Diode. Thus semiconductor diode and the P-N junction are one and the same. The meaning of the term "diode" is the device having "two electrodes" (di-ode).  As shown in Fig. 1 , the diode has two electrodes one each for the two regions on either sides of the junction. Fig. 1: A P-N junction forms a semiconductor diode  Fig. 2 : Circuit symbol of diode Symbol of the P-N junction diode The symbol of a semiconductor diode is as shown in Fig. 2. The two electrodes (terminals) are named as anode and cathode.  The arrowhead in the symbol points in the direction of conventional current through the device. This current will flow through the diode if and only if an external voltage source is connected to it with appropriate polarities. Biasing of a P-N Junction Diode When the P-N junction is formed, the depletion region gets created and the movement of ele

Electrostatics is the branch of science dealing with the static electricity i.e. electricity at rest The knowledge of various laws which governs the behaviour of static electricity is essential. It is essential in the design and applications of insulation(particularly for high voltages). In the study of causes of lightning and protection against it and in the design and operation of transmission lines. Therefore, in this blog we shall briefly discuss some of the fundamental laws of electrostatics. Electric charge possess two different forms first when it is static second when it is moving. Electric charge exhibits two different properties in two different forms when it is stable state and when it is moving. When it is moving it shows properties like Electric current, Magnetic effect,Heating effect, Electromagnetic Induction and so on. Definitions: Electrostatics: Electrostatics is the branch of electricity in which properties of static (non-moving) electri

Most of the modern people around the world might give credit to Mr. Benjamin Franklin for his discovery of electricity,but if we go thousands of years back in an ancient civilization living near the banks of saptasidhu river called as aryans presently India electicity has its mention in Atharva veda (one of the four vedas) written by hindu sages back in 1500 - 1000 B.C. Atharva Veda is sometimes called the vedas of magical formulas, apart from atharva veda rigveda also has a mention of electricity it says, " Electricity is hidden in water and when it comes out it spreads light and provides electricity." (1.16.5).  (1.85.5;188.1) " It describes use of electricity in weapons and telegraphy, the word Indra or vidhyut is used to denote electricity in vedas. Atharva veda has many other significant aspect of science like medicinal plants, healing practices, consciousness etc. also it takes into account of electricity. thanks to Dr. Ashok Tiwari an Electrical Engineer who