Understanding the Invisible 'Pulsation of Light.' The Mechanism of Kindness Woven by Electrons and Electric Current

[To all readers of this article]
This series is a reconstruction of my, Denki Penguin's, knowledge and passion for electrical engineering and mathematics, presented through the words of our navigator, 'Lilith Formula'.
This work is a collaboration with AI (Gemini), utilizing AI for the generation of text and illustrations. Through the filter of Lilith, I have depicted seemingly difficult electrical theories and formulas as intuitive and emotional stories. Please take your time to enjoy the world beyond the formulas, guided by her words.

The lights of the city we look up at in a fleeting moment, and the power that drives the smartphone in our hands. Our lives are supported by the 'kindness' of invisible electricity.

However, when you think about what the true nature of electricity is, it might feel a bit difficult. It is okay, please do not worry. Today, let us slowly unravel the story of 'electrons' and 'electric current,' which are its true nature.

The true nature of electrons, the small protagonists supporting society

Tracing the origins of electricity, we find very small particles called 'electrons.' These electrons are hidden within all matter and are characterized by carrying a negative electrical charge.

While they usually face in random directions, when given a 'trigger' called voltage, they all begin to walk in the same direction at once. This earnest march of tiny particles is the true nature of the electricity from which we benefit.

Electric current is measuring the 'amount of passion'

So, what exactly does 'electric current,' which we often hear about, refer to? In the world of physics, electric current I is defined as the amount of electricity, or 'charge,' that passes through a certain point in one second.

Expressed as a mathematical formula, where current is I [A], charge is Q [C], and time is t [s], the relationship is as follows.

$$
I = \frac{Q}{t}
$$

The smaller the time in the denominator, or the larger the charge in the numerator, the greater the value of the current becomes. If you think of it as measuring 'how much heat it carried and how fast it rushed through,' doesn't it feel a little more approachable?

The journey of electrons derived

Let us calculate the relationship between the movement of a single electron and electric current in a little more detail. It may look complicated at first glance, but if you follow the steps, you will definitely reach the answer.

First, let e be the amount of electricity (elementary charge) that one electron possesses. As a physical constant, this value is approximately as follows.

$$
e \approx 1.602 \times 10^{-19} \text{ [C]}
$$

If $${n}$$ electrons pass through a conductor in $${t}$$ seconds, the total charge $${Q}$$ that has flowed is the number of electrons multiplied by the electric charge per electron.

$$
Q = n \times e
$$

Let's substitute this into the definition of electric current, $${I = Q / t}$$, that we discussed earlier.

$$
I = \frac{n \times e}{t}
$$

By rearranging this formula, if we want to find the 'number of electrons $${n}$$ per second required to flow a current of 1 ampere,' it becomes the following.

$$
n = \frac{I \times t}{e}
$$

Here, if we substitute $${I = 1 [A]}$$ and $${t = 1 [s]}$$,

$$
n = \frac{1 \times 1}{1.602 \times 10^{-19}}
$$

This results in the calculation, and by moving the $${10^{-19}}$$ from the denominator to the numerator, we derive the figure of approximately 6.24 quintillion that I mentioned earlier.

The important lesson taught by the rule of opposite directions

There is one interesting 'trick of history' here. In fact, the direction in which current flows (from positive to negative) and the direction in which electrons actually move (from negative to positive) are opposite.

This is a remnant of the fact that it was decided 'current flows from positive to negative' before the existence of electrons was discovered, but I really like this story. Even if the rules and reality are slightly different, society functions correctly. I feel this is similar to the kindness of human society, which aims for harmony while embracing contradictions.

The energy carried by invisible electrons illuminates your daily life. When you think about that, doesn't the casual scenery of everyday life look just a little bit different?

I sincerely respect your intellectual curiosity for touching the 'heart of electricity' with me today. May this learning become a light that makes your vision clearer.

[Conclusion]
Thank you very much for staying with this lecture until the end. The warm reactions such as 'likes' that you kindly leave behind are, for me, the driving force to move on to the next explanation... they are like a pleasant 'voltage'.

If this place has been a gentle time for you, where you could loosen the tension toward difficult mathematical formulas and feel the world a little more endearingly, there is nothing that would make me happier.

Thank you for looking at the scenery beyond the formulas with me again today.

Please have a peaceful time for the rest of your day.