Question for anyone working in physics or engineering: When one uses electricity from an AC outlet at home, do actual particles (elctrons) actually travel from the power plant to the electrical device? In other words, is the AC electical current on the typical grid like water current in that there is actually a physical particle that traveled from the power plant, or even some transformer station near one's home, to the lamp/TV/radio or whatever device you plug into the outlet?
Yes. To continue your comparison to plumbing, the voltage is similar to water pressure. A volume of water (gallon) is similar to a coulomb which is a volume of electricity. A water rate of flow (gallons per hour) is similar to an electrical rate of flow (Amperes)
Thanks. To follow up: How does the alternating current aspect work? Is there such a thing as alternating current water?
There is not a good example involing water to explain AC. Here in the staes, we use 60 Hz AC. This means that 60 times per second, the direction of the electrical current flow changes direction. This allows the use of transformers which makes for a much more practical distribution system when compared to DC.
