• Question: uses of electrical energy

    Asked by 535purple26 to Shilla, Robinson, Noel, Jelili on 16 May 2018.
    • Photo: Noel Joseph

      Noel Joseph answered on 16 May 2018:


      @ 535purple26 In order to understand the uses of electrical energy it is important to understand the nature of electrical energy that makes it a convenient form of energy for use. By definition electrical energy is energy that’s stored in charged particles (known as current) within what is known as an electric field. The electric field applies force to the charged particle, causing it to move. This makes it possible to be able to use electrical energy for lighting, running appliances/machinery, heating/cooling and even transportation 🙂

    • Photo: Shillah Simiyu

      Shillah Simiyu answered on 18 May 2018:


      Electrical energy is the most convenient form of energy for most human uses. Electrical energy is easy to move from one location to another and easy to use, but it is almost impossible to store in any large quantity. It can be used for running computers and most appliances, home heating, and even transportation. Electricity is used by industry, households, and businesses, and accounts for 18% of end use energy worldwide.
      In the US for example, the major uses and their share of total residential sector electricity use in 2017 were

      Cooling/air conditioning—15.4%
      Water heating—9.5%
      Lighting—9.4%
      Refrigeration—7.2%
      Space heating—6.2%
      Televisions and related electronic equipment—5.9%
      Clothes dryers—4.1%
      Cooking—2.3%
      Heating equipment fans and pumps—2.2%
      Computers and related equipment—2.2%
      Dishwashers—2.0%
      Freezers—1.6%
      Clothes washers (excludes water heating)—0.5%
      Other miscellaneous uses—31.3%

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