There are many myths and misunderstandings about electricity. Here, we clarify them.

Electricity is what powers our lights, electric vehicles, and even influences our language, often described as “feeling a spark” of attraction. But how well do you really understand this physical phenomenon?

Let’s dive into the world of electricity and unravel 10 facts about electricity while dispelling myths and misconceptions along the way.

1. Misconceptions Surrounding Electricity’s Discovery

When exploring the history of electricity, you encounter conflicting reports about its discovery. Was Benjamin Franklin truly the first pioneer, flying a key attached to a kite in a thunderstorm in the 1750s? Or did the journey of electricity begin centuries earlier with Thales of Miletus, a Greek philosopher who purportedly experimented with amber and feathers around 600 B.C., discovering static electricity?

It turns out that neither Thales of Miletus nor Benjamin Franklin were the true pioneers in discovering electricity. While Thales is often credited with discovering static electricity, a 2012 investigation published in the Journal of Electrostatics revealed that there’s no evidence he actually made such a claim. Instead, Thales mentioned static to support his argument that even inanimate objects might possess a soul.

As for Benjamin Franklin, his famous kite experiment is shrouded in uncertainty. While he proposed it as a means to investigate whether lightning was electrical discharge, historians are unsure if he ever conducted the experiment himself. Only two sources mention the experiment, and one was written about 15 years later, according to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

In reality, the discovery of electricity was a collaborative effort spanning centuries and involving various individuals. English physician William Gilbert conducted experiments with magnets and electricity during the late 1500s and early 1600s, coining the term “electricus” in 1600 to describe electric charges. Thomas Browne, an English scientist and mythbuster from the 17th century, introduced the term “electricity” before his death in 1682.

Benjamin Franklin and his contemporaries contributed to the exploration of electricity in the 1700s. By 1800, Italian inventor Alessandro Volta had developed primitive batteries using zinc, copper, and saltwater-soaked cardboard, paving the way for the generation of electricity. In 1831, English scientist Michael Faraday discovered a method to produce electrical current by rotating a magnet within a coil of wire. In essence, the discovery of electricity was a collective endeavor involving numerous individuals over time.

2. The Movement of Electrons

Electricity, a fundamental force in our world, arises from the behavior of subatomic particles within atoms. Atoms, the building blocks of matter, feature a nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. While some electrons tightly bind to their nucleus, others behave more independently. When external forces act upon them, these electrons can move, creating what we know as electricity.

3. Lightning as Extreme Electrical Phenomenon

Lightning, a spectacular display of electricity, originates from static charges within storm clouds. An average lightning bolt measures the width of a thumb and spans 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 Km), as per the United Kingdom’s Met Office. The intense energy coursing through a lightning bolt heats the surrounding air to a staggering 54,000 °F (30,000 °C) — a temperature five times hotter than the sun’s surface. Remarkably, lightning strikes Earth approximately 44 times per second, as reported by the Met.

4. Plant Reactions to Thunder’s Roar

During electrical storms, plants sometimes respond to the electrical fields generated by the storms by emitting small sparks of electricity. These sparks can give rise to a faint blue haze known as a corona.

Interestingly, these emissions might impact air quality. A 2022 study featured in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres revealed that coronas generated elevated levels of highly reactive chemicals called radicals. Radicals, lacking electrons, can snatch them from neighboring atoms, thereby altering the chemical composition of the surrounding air. While this process could eliminate some harmful compounds from the air, it could also produce new air pollutants, as outlined by the researchers.

5. Powering a Light Bulb with the Brain

Nerve cells communicate through small bursts of electricity, sparked by alterations in the membranes of nerve cells. These changes enable charged molecules to move in and out of the cell in reaction to chemical signals. Essentially, the brain creates its own electricity. This phenomenon explains why an electric shock feels peculiar and can induce uncontrollable body movements — the external electricity disrupts the nervous system’s electrical functions.

Collectively, the energy produced by all 86 billion neurons in the brain would suffice to illuminate a low-wattage light bulb.

6. Global Variations in the Electrical ‘Hum’

The buzzing sound of electricity results from alternating current, where the direction of the current changes repeatedly. This contrasts with direct current, which flows in one direction only and is commonly used for charging batteries. The audible “mains hum” near electrical devices arises from the vibration of the electromagnet inside the device.

The frequency of the alternating current’s hum varies based on how quickly the current switches direction. In countries like the U.S., Canada, and parts of South America, the current changes direction 60 times per second, while in most other regions, it changes 50 times per second. The hum’s frequency is twice that of the current’s alternation. For instance, in the U.S., the hum is at 120 Hz, equivalent to a tone between B and B-flat two octaves below middle C. In Europe, it’s at 100 Hz, similar to a tone between A-flat and G two octaves below middle C.

7. Continual Rise in Electricity Demand

Electricity is a massive part of our world. In 2019 alone, global electricity consumption soared to 22,848 terawatt-hours. To grasp the scale, a terawatt equals one trillion watts — that’s enough power to illuminate countless light bulbs.

Various sectors contribute to this consumption: Industry leads the way, accounting for approximately 41%, with residential usage close behind at 27%, and commercial and public services at 21%. The remainder serves transportation needs, including electric vehicles, and other miscellaneous uses. Since the 1970s, electricity usage has seen consistent growth, with 2019 marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Among nations, China stands as the largest consumer, followed by the U.S. and India.

8. Electric World of Bees

A fascinating discovery about bee swarms emerged from research published in the journal iScience in October 2022. It turns out that bee swarms might generate electrical fields similar to those produced during thunderstorms.

The constant fluttering of bees’ wings, as they brush against plant surfaces and the air, can lead to the buildup of static electricity. While scientists initially believed this static was minimal, measurements taken near bee hives as swarms departed revealed otherwise. The bees could generate an electrical potential gradient of 100 volts per meter, and in some cases, up to 1,000 volts per meter — significantly higher than the gradients seen in typical storm clouds. These biologically-induced gradients may influence the movement of atmospheric dust and other fine pollutants, as per the researchers’ findings.

9. Bacteria’s Ability to Generate Electricity

Deep below the ocean floor and deep within the earth’s crust, bacteria belonging to the genus Geobacter exhibit a remarkable ability: they breathe out electricity through tiny snorkel-like structures. This peculiar adaptation is necessary because these bacteria live in environments devoid of oxygen. While aerobic organisms like humans use oxygen to dispose of excess electrons generated during metabolic processes, anaerobic organisms like Geobacter lack this option.

To expel surplus electrons, Geobacter species deploy snorkels that are 100,000 times thinner than a human hair. These microscopic electric conduits transport electrons from the bacteria to their surroundings, sometimes spanning hundreds of thousands of bacterial body lengths. In 2021, scientists discovered that these minuscule electric wires are composed of a protein called cytochrome. Although colonies of Geobacter can power small electrical devices, their electrical output is limited, necessitating the use of tiny gadgets.

10. Role of Electricity in Diamond Formation

In 2021, scientists revealed a fascinating connection between diamonds and electricity. These precious gems, born deep within the Earth’s mantle, require an electrical boost to transform into the sparkling jewels we adore. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, carbon doesn’t naturally evolve into diamonds without a gentle jolt of approximately 1 volt.

Interestingly, this electrical requirement isn’t an issue in the mantle, where molten rock and other fluids facilitate the conduction of electrical charges. The subtle electrical field, weaker than that of a typical household battery, likely provides the necessary electrons to kick-start the crystallization process essential for diamond formation.