[Phys-L] Re: electric vs. electrical

[John Denker <jsd@AV8N.COM>]

Robert Cohen wrote:
> Does anyone know if there is a "proper" distinction between when you use
> "electric" and when you use "electrical"?

To my ears, there is a slight difference in connotation.
  -- electric covers things that are electrified or directly embody electricity
     ("electric field", "electric motor")
  -- electrical covers things that indirectly deal with electricity
     ("electrical engineer")

It would sound funny to say "electric engineer".

Also:  it is a moving target.  In the olden days people said "electrical field"
but nowadays (for the last 100 years at least) "electric field" seems to be
the standard usage.

> In particular, I'm wondering
> whether it is "electric energy" or "electrical energy" and whether it
> makes any difference.

I can't imagine it makes much difference.  This is a close call.
If I were writing, I would probably say "electrical energy".  If
I were editing, I would probably let electric/electrical energy
slide eee-ther way (or eye-ther way).

==========

FWIW I checked three reputable dictionaries, *none* of which recognize
a systematic distinction.  They all say "electrical" is equivalent to
"electric".  But I think I'm right anyway.
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