Re: AC electricity

["William J. Larson" <bill_larson@CSI.COM>]

Hewitt explains this very well by pointing out the underlying
misconception, i.e. that the purpose of the current is to "deliver
electrons". No such thing happens. Even in a DC circuit
the electrons hardly move (I'm talking about net motion, not
the very fast random thermal motion). Their speed is
about 30 cm / hour. There is an electric field in the wire.
It supplies the energy. "Power utilities do not sell electrons.
They sell energy. You provide the electrons."

William J. Larson
Bill_Larson@csi.com
Institut Monte Rosa
Montreux, Switzerland

----- Original Message -----
From: Tim O'Donnell <odonnt@CELINA.K12.OH.US>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: 2001 January 17 7:20 PM
Subject: AC electricity


> I know that AC delivers energy - that is obvious.
> But I still have trouble understanding how this is possible
> since half the time the potential is positve and the other
> have it is negative.  It seems they should cancel out.
> I know and can do the rms (root mean squared - although
> shouldn't it be squared mean root) for figuring out various
> quantities, but I still don't think I have a basic
> understanding on "how" it really works.