Electricity Water Hose Analogy

We think it does a great job of explaining electricity in really straightforward terms with an imaginative use of a water pump as an analogy.

Electricity water hose analogy. When describing voltage current and resistance a common analogy is a water tank. In this analogy charge is represented by the water amount voltage is represented by the water pressure. Basic electricity explanation that anyone can relate to. Click any part of it for further details.

Dc circuit water analogy this is an active graphic. I use a water hose as a conductor. Voltage is like the pressure that pushes water through the hose. The analogy here is to water flow or more specific the amount of water flowing through a cross sectional area per unit time.

In a direct current dc electrical circuit the voltage v in volts is an expression of the available energy per unit charge which drives the electric current i in amperes around a closed circuit. So here it is. Water flow to show current. Electricity 101 voltage current and resistance.

The three most basic components of electricity are voltage current and resistance. Water pressure for voltage. Think a spigot on a house or a water pump. The best analogy is usually the stream of water.

Take a hose and point it at a waterwheel like the ones that were used to turn grinding stones in watermills. The electronic hydraulic analogy derisively referred to as the drain pipe theory by oliver lodge is the most widely used analogy for electron fluid in a metal conductor since electric current is invisible and the processes at play in electronics are often difficult to demonstrate the various electronic components are represented by hydraulic equivalents. The analogy here is to water pressure. Amp or ampere is the unit for current.

The flow of water can be analogous to the amperage of current which is the rate of flow of charge. It was used by the physicists at a state s iso independent systems operator that oversaw the reliability of the state s electricity grid to explain how they route electricity to ensure power flows where needed. Electricity explained intro for a long time folks have been wrestling to come up with a comprehensive analogy for basic electrical terms and functions. Again this is a common quantity.

You can increase the power generated by the waterwheel in two ways. You see amp ratings on just about all electric devices. But using water as an analogy offers an easy way to gain a basic understanding. The water analogy is a fitting introduction.