Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Electricity Works
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Mar 8, 2025 Electricity is everywhere, but do you know how it really works? The hosts take a nostalgic journey through childhood memories of shows like Sesame Street while explaining the history and evolution of electricity. Discover the difference between static and dynamic electricity through fun examples. They break down how generators and turbines create electrical energy, highlighting the importance of safety measures and grounding. Plus, enjoy some lighthearted banter about famous rivalries in the field. It’s an enlightening listen packed with humor!
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Early Static Electricity
- Thales of Miletus experimented with static electricity around 600 BC.
- He rubbed amber with fur, observing that it attracted dust and feathers, an early exploration of electrical phenomena.
Fluid Theory of Electricity
- Early understanding of electricity was flawed, with many, including Benjamin Franklin, believing it was a fluid.
- This fluid theory was challenged as scientists studied lightning and current electricity.
Discovery of the Electron
- J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897, revolutionizing our understanding of electricity.
- Initially called "corpuscles," these subatomic particles with a negative charge became known as electrons.