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Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D." ,"url": "https://www.thoughtco.com/anne-marie-helmenstine-ph-d-601916" } ] ,"description": "How electrical energy works in science is an often-misunderstood topic, but the concept is fairly simple once you know more about it." ,"image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/WHyt8opBOx5eNfG0pk37Aqn6-Wo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bright-clear-close-up-401107-bf419fd39f48410dbafa5d4483679fc1.jpg", "height": 1000, "width": 1500 } ,"publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "ThoughtCo", "url": "https://www.thoughtco.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ruwsr0VaZ-mxBD_vXVdKmhL0sjY=/250x60/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TC_schema_logo_250x60-59af144bd088c00010d45b5f.png", "width": 250, "height": 60 }, "brand": "ThoughtCo" , "publishingPrinciples": "https://www.thoughtco.com/about-us-4779650#toc-editorial-guidelines" , "sameAs" : [ 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id="mntl-text-link_8-0" class="mntl-text-link mntl-breadcrumbs__link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Physical Chemistry</span></a> <span id="breadcrumbs__separator_4-0" class="comp breadcrumbs__separator mntl-text-block">›</span></li></ul> <div id="article-heading_1-0" class="comp article-heading mntl-article-header"> <h1 class="article-heading type--lion">How Does Electrical Energy Work?</h1> </div></div> </div><div class="loc article-post-header"><div id="post-header-social-block_1-0" class="comp post-header-social-block mntl-block"><div id="social-share-block_1-0" class="comp social-share-block mntl-block"><ul id="social-share_1-0" class="comp social-share mntl-social-share share" data-title="How Does Electrical Energy Work?" document="StructuredContentDocumentEx{parent=BaseDocumentEx{templateType=STRUCTUREDCONTENT, documentId=4119325, bestTitle='How Does Electrical Energy Work?'}}" data-description="How electrical energy works in science is an 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class="loc article-pre-content"><div id="article-meta_1-0" class="comp article-meta mntl-block" data-tracking-container="true"><div id="toc_1-0" class="comp toc mntl-toc mntl-block" data-offset="60"><div id="mntl-toc__inner_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__inner mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__heading_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__heading mntl-block"><span id="mntl-toc__heading-text_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__heading-text mntl-text-block">Table of Contents</span> <div id="mntl-toc-toggle_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc-toggle mntl-block"><button id="mntl-toc-toggle__btn_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc-toggle__btn mntl-text-block js-mntl-toc-toggle" data-collapsed-text="Expand" data-expanded-text="Collapse">Expand</button></div></div> <ul id="mntl-toc__list_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list"><li id="mntl-toc__list-item_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_1-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-what-is-electrical-energy" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_1-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">What Is Electrical Energy?</span></a></div></li> <li id="mntl-toc__list-item_2-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_2-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-how-electrical-energy-works" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_2-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">How Electrical Energy Works</span></a></div></li> <li id="mntl-toc__list-item_3-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_3-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-electrical-energy-examples" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_3-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Electrical Energy Examples</span></a></div></li> <li id="mntl-toc__list-item_4-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_4-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-units-of-electricity" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_4-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Units of Electricity</span></a></div></li> <li id="mntl-toc__list-item_5-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_5-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-relation-between-electricity-and-magnetism" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_5-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Relation Between Electricity and Magnetism</span></a></div></li> <li id="mntl-toc__list-item_6-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item mntl-block"><div id="mntl-toc__list-item-heading_6-0" class="comp mntl-toc__list-item-heading mntl-block"><a href="#toc-electrical-energy-key-points" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-toc__list-item-link_6-0" class="mntl-toc__list-item-link mntl-text-link mntl-toc__list-item-link js-mntl-toc-link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Electrical Energy Key Points</span></a></div></li></ul></div></div> <div id="reference-bylines_1-0" class="comp reference-bylines mntl-bylines right-rail__offset"><div id="mntl-bylines__group_1-0" class="comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--author"><div id="mntl-bylines__item_1-0" class="comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item mntl-attribution__item--has-date"> <span class="mntl-attribution__item-descriptor">By</span> <div data-tooltip="Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/anne-marie-helmenstine-ph-d-601916" rel="nocaes" data-trigger-link="true" class="mntl-attribution__item-name" tabindex="-1" >Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.</a> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group "> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__top mntl-author-tooltip__top--no-image"> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip__name_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item "> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/anne-marie-helmenstine-ph-d-601916" rel="nocaes" class="mntl-attribution__item-name" tabindex="0" >Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.</a> </div> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav reference-social-nav mntl-social-nav" data-tracking-container="true"> <ul class="social-nav__list"> <li class="social-nav__item social-nav__item--facebook"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aboutcom-Chemistry/244818558903541" target="_blank" rel="noopener nocaes" class="social-nav__link social-nav__link--facebook" aria-label="Visit Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.'s Facebook" > <svg class="icon icon-facebook social-nav__icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-facebook" href="#icon-facebook"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-nav__item social-nav__item--x"> <a href="https://twitter.com/azareal" target="_blank" rel="noopener nocaes" class="social-nav__link social-nav__link--x" aria-label="Visit Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.'s X" > <svg class="icon icon-x social-nav__icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-x" href="#icon-x"></use> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span id="mntl-author-tooltip__job-title_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__job-title mntl-text-block">Chemistry Expert</span> <ul id="mntl-author-tooltip__education_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education mntl-block"><li id="mntl-author-tooltip__education-item_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education-item mntl-text-block">Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville</li> <li id="mntl-author-tooltip__education-item_2-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education-item mntl-text-block">B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College</li></ul> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__bio"> Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. </div> </div> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__bottom"> <span class="mntl-author-tooltip__learn-more-text">Learn about our</span> <a href="/about-us-4779650#toc-editorial-guidelines" rel="nocaes" class="mntl-author-tooltip__learn-more-link" >Editorial Process</a> </div> </div></div> </div> <div class="mntl-attribution__item-date">Updated on August 05, 2024</div></div> </div></div> </div><div class="loc article-content"><div id="article-content_1-0" class="comp article-content mntl-block"><div id="mntl-sc-page_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-page mntl-block structured-content expert-content" data-sc-sticky-offset="85" data-sc-ad-label-height="24" data-sc-ad-track-spacing="100" data-sc-min-track-height="250" data-sc-max-track-height="600" data-sc-breakpoint="50em" data-sc-load-immediate="3" data-sc-content-positions="[1, 1050, 1250, 1550, 1950, 2350, 2750, 3150]" data-bind-scroll-on-start="true"><p id="mntl-sc-block_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Electrical energy is an important concept in science, yet one that is frequently misunderstood. What exactly is electrical energy, and what are some of the rules applied when using it in calculations? </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_2-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-what-is-electrical-energy"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_3-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> What Is Electrical Energy? </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_4-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Electrical energy is a form of <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/energy-definition-and-examples-2698976" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">energy</a> resulting from the flow of electric charge. Energy is the ability to do work or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/six-kinds-of-simple-machines-2699235" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">apply force</a> to move an object. In the case of electrical energy, the force is electrical attraction or repulsion between <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electric-field-4174366" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3">charged particles</a>. Electrical energy may be either <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-potential-energy-604611" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4">potential energy</a> or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-kinetic-energy-604552" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5">kinetic energy</a>, but it's usually encountered as potential energy, energy stored due to the relative positions of charged particles or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electric-field-4174366" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="6">electric fields</a>. The movement of charged particles through a wire or other medium is called current or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-electricity-4019643" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="7">electricity</a>. There is also <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/static-electricity-4176431" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="8">static electricity</a>, which results from an imbalance or separation of the positive and negative charges on an object. Static electricity is a form of electrical potential energy. If sufficient charge builds up, the electrical energy may be discharged to form a spark (or even <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/lightening-and-lightning-1689578" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="9">lightning</a>), which has <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/physical-chemistry-and-thermochemistry-4133586" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="10">electrical kinetic energy</a>. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_5-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <p id="mntl-sc-block_6-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> By convention, the direction of an electric field is always shown pointing in the direction a positive particle would move if it was placed in the field. This is important to remember when working with electrical energy because the most common current carrier is an <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electron-microscope-introduction-4140636" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">electron</a>, which moves in the opposite direction compared with a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-proton-604622" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">proton</a>. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_7-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-how-electrical-energy-works"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_8-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> How Electrical Energy Works </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_9-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> The British scientist <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/michael-faraday-inventor-4059933" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">Michael Faraday</a> discovered a means of generating electricity as early as the 1820s. He moved a loop or disc of conductive metal between the poles of a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-demagnetize-a-magnet-607873" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">magnet</a>. The basic principle is that electrons in <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/copper-applications-2340111" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3">copper wire</a> are free to move. Each electron carries a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electric-field-4174366" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="4">negative electrical charge</a>. Its movement is governed by attractive forces between the electron and positive charges (such as <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-proton-604622" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="5">protons</a> and positively charged ions) and repulsive forces between the electron and like-charges (such as other electrons and negatively charged ions). In other words, the electric field surrounding a charged particle (an electron, in this case) exerts a force on other charged particles, causing it to move and thus do work. Force must be applied to move two attracted charged particles away from each other. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_10-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <p id="mntl-sc-block_11-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Any charged particles may be involved in producing electrical energy, including electrons, protons, <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/nuclear-fission-versus-nuclear-fusion-608645" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">atomic nuclei</a>, cations (positively charged ions), anions (negatively charged ions), positrons (antimatter equivalent to electrons), and so on. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_12-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-electrical-energy-examples"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_13-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Electrical Energy Examples </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_14-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Electrical energy used for <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-electricity-4019643" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">electric power</a>, such as wall current used to power a light bulb or computer, is energy converted from electric potential energy. This potential energy is converted into another type of energy (heat, light, <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/kinetic-and-potential-energy-609257" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">mechanical energy</a>, etc.). For a power utility, the motion of electrons in a wire produces the current and electric potential. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_15-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <p id="mntl-sc-block_16-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> A <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-a-battery-works-1991356" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">battery</a> is another source of electrical energy, except the electrical charges may be ions in a solution rather than electrons in a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/metal-crystals-photo-gallery-4054187" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">metal</a>. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_17-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <p id="mntl-sc-block_18-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Biological systems also use electrical energy. For example, hydrogen ions, electrons, or metal ions may be more concentrated on one side of a membrane than the other, setting up an electrical potential that can be used to <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/neurons-373486" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">transmit nerve impulses</a>, move muscles, and transport materials. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_19-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <p id="mntl-sc-block_20-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Specific examples of electrical energy include: </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_21-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_22-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>Alternating current (AC)</li> <li>Direct current (DC)</li> <li>Lightning</li> <li><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/how-a-battery-works-1991356" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">Batteries</a></li> <li>Capacitors</li> <li>Energy generated by <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electric-eel-facts-4148012" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">electric eels</a></li> </ul> <div id="mntl-sc-block_23-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-units-of-electricity"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_24-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Units of Electricity </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_25-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> The SI unit of potential difference or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/voltage-2699022" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">voltage</a> is the volt (V). This is the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying 1 ampere of current with the power of 1 watt. However, several units are found in electricity, including: </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_26-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <figure id="mntl-sc-block_27-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-table mntl-sc-block-universal-table"> <div class="mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table-wrapper"> <table class="mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table"> <colgroup style="" span="1"></colgroup> <colgroup style="" span="1"></colgroup> <colgroup style="" span="1"></colgroup> <tbody data-check="-1"> <tr> <td><strong>Unit</strong></td> <td><strong>Symbol</strong></td> <td><strong>Quantity</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Volt</td> <td>V</td> <td>Potential difference, voltage (V), electromotive force (E)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ampere (amp)</td> <td>A</td> <td>Electric current (I)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ohm</td> <td>Ω</td> <td>Resistance (R)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Watt</td> <td>W</td> <td>Electric power (P)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Farad</td> <td>F</td> <td>Capacitance (C)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Henry</td> <td>H</td> <td>Inductance (L)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Coulomb</td> <td>C</td> <td>Electric charge (Q)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Joule</td> <td>J</td> <td>Energy (E)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kilowatt-hour</td> <td>kWh</td> <td>Energy (E)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Hertz</td> <td>Hz</td> <td>Frequency f)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </figure> <div id="mntl-sc-block_28-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-relation-between-electricity-and-magnetism"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_29-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Relation Between Electricity and Magnetism </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_30-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Always remember that a moving charged particle—whether it be a proton, electron, or ion—generates a magnetic field. Similarly, changing a magnetic field induces an electric current in a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-conductor-in-science-605845" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">conductor</a> (e.g., a wire). Thus, scientists who study electricity typically refer to it as <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/electromagnetism-timeline-1992475" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">electromagnetism</a> because electricity and magnetism are connected to each other. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_31-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-adslot mntl-block"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-electrical-energy-key-points"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_32-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Electrical Energy Key Points </span> </h2> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_33-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>Electricity is defined as the type of energy produced by a moving electrical charge.</li><li>Electricity is always associated with magnetism.</li><li>The direction of the current is the direction a positive charge would move if placed in the electrical field. This is opposite to the flow of electrons, the most common current carrier. </li> </ul></div> <div id="sources-and-citation_1-0" class="comp sources-and-citation mntl-block"><div id="citation-widget_1-0" class="comp citation-widget js-citation-widget" data-tracking-container="true"> <div class="citation-widget__container js-container"> <button class="citation-widget__button js-button"> <span class="citation-widget__cite-label">Cite this Article </span> <svg class="icon icon-cite citation-widget__icon-cite" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-cite" href="#icon-cite"></use> </svg> </button> <div class="citation-widget__window js-window"> <svg class="icon icon-close citation-widget__icon-close js-icon-close" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-close" href="#icon-close"></use> </svg> <div class="citation-widget__heading">Format</div> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link citation-widget__format-link--active js-format-link">mla</a> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link js-format-link">apa</a> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link js-format-link">chicago</a> <div class="citation-widget__heading">Your Citation</div> <div class="citation-widget__content js-content"> <span class="citation-widget__citation citation-widget__citation--active js-active" data-citation-format="mla">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How Does Electrical Energy Work?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 5, 2024, thoughtco.com/electrical-energy-definition-and-examples-4119325.</span> <span class="citation-widget__citation" data-citation-format="apa">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2024, August 5). How Does Electrical Energy Work? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/electrical-energy-definition-and-examples-4119325</span> <span class="citation-widget__citation" data-citation-format="chicago">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How Does Electrical Energy Work?" 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