WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ELECTRICITY

 Current is the flow of electrons in a conductor. matter is made up of atoms. electrons are loosely bound to the nucleus so they can loosen up and move around when voltage is applied.

Conductors allows the flow of electrons this terminology is called current.

 Volts

• Volt is the SI unit of electric potential, voltage and electromotive force. imagine a fluid pipe connected to a pump to understand the narrative.        The more the pressure the greater the force, this will also increase the flow of water pushing through the pipe. 
• The voltage is like a pump pushing electrons around the circuit. The higher the voltage applied to a circuit, the higher the current that will be forced through it.

• Amps

   An amp is the unit of electric current that measures the flow of electrical charge through a conductor
  Load

• is any device connected to a voltage source that consumes energy. It could be a simple appliance like television set, an air conditioner, a lightening bulb.

An electric circuit

In the circuit above, a voltage V pushes a current I around the circuit and through the load. As you may remember, this could be a device such as an air conditioner or a lightening bulb. The load resists the flow of current and the magnitude of its resistance is R ohms. This phenomenon is known as Ohms Law.

V = I R

This law basically explains the relationship between the current(I) and resistance (R).

It states the current is proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance meaning as resistance increases current decreases and vice versa.

An example:

If the resistance in a system applied is 100 ohms and has a voltage of 120 its current is calculated to be;

V=IR 

.: I=V/R 

120 / 100 = 1.2 amps

Alternative Way of Working Out Power

W = IV

But also, P =IV

but remember from ohm's law I= V/R 

So, substituting the expression I =V/R into P = IV gives:

P = IV = (V/R) V = V²/ R

similarly

P = IV =I(IR) = I²R

here is an example.

A 240 volts supply is connected to a load of 100 ohms. What will be the power consumption?

Power = V²/ R = (240)² / 100 = 576 watts

        Basic equations to know

Insulators

These are materials possessing high resistance. they do not allow free flow of electric current hence termed non-conductors. 

some examples are plastic materials, wood and timber, however it is to note that when these materials are mixed or joined with certain conductors like water, they tend to gain charge this is because water allows free flow of electrons.

Electrical resistivity is the reciprocal of electrical conductivity. It is a fundamental property that measures how strongly a material resists the flow of electric current. This also means the larger the cross-sectional area A, the smaller its resistance.

Copper has the lowest resistivity of most common materials, and this is why it is widely used in the manufacture of cables. Silver has a lower resistivity than copper, but it is much more expensive. Aluminum is generally used for overhead cables and although it has a higher resistivity than copper, it is lighter. Gold has a resistivity about 1.5 times that of copper, however it is unreactive and doesn't deteriorate. 

It can be calculated with the formula

R = ρL / A

ρ (Greek letter "rho") is a constant known as the resistivity and is a measure of how good the material is at conducting electricity. L is the length and A the cross-sectional area of the material.

Resistivity of some materials

Voltage Regulator

Voltage regulator is a system that automatically maintains a constant voltage, using electromechanical or electronic components. these devices are implemented as single ICs or separate modules consisting of several discrete components or integrated circuits. 
A regulator that reduces voltage is called a buck regulator and one that increases voltage is called a boost regulator.

The output of an unregulated voltage supply will drop as current increases. This is because of internal resistance which causes a potential drop as current flows.

Electric sparks

An electric spark is an abrupt electrical discharge that occurs when a sufficiently high electric field creates an ionized, electrically conductive channel through a normally insulating medium, often air or other gases or gas mixtures. Michael Faraday described this phenomenon as "the beautiful flash of light attending the discharge of common electricity"

This produces a flash of visible light, heat, UV radiation and sound. The voltage required to produce a spark is about 3000 volts per mm between rounded electrodes in air. Sparks can be small, e.g. lightening, wire bridge, spark from a generator plug etc.

When clouds get charged up, voltage becomes so high that a spark jumps from cloud to cloud or cloud to ground. The flash we see is called lightening and the sound we hear is call thunder this is caused by the explosive heating and expansion of air by the electrical discharge.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SMALL

 

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GROWTH, POEPLE OR PROGRESS NO MATTER HOW LITTLE!

A short story,

 A conversation ensued amongst part of the body on who has more importance.

the eyes said I am, without me you see no beauty. The mouth argued what is the point of seeing if you can't tell?, the head and shoulder shrugged and disagreed claiming more importance, the ears heard and insisted it is more relevant, the limbs argued claiming to be the one who makes all see their destination, the stomach started to rumble and concluded a hungry man is an angry man, the brain then said all of you can neither function or exist without me, listening to this the heart countered and insisted it plays the most role.

The argument continued as all parts debated against one another, suddenly the anus shouted, yeh all! listen to me I am relevant, why is no one asking or fighting about me!

Suddenly the whole crowd of parts burst into laughter...... looking and thinking and imagining why the Anus even spoke when others were speaking.

Out of anger the anus said, " we shall see about that", he decided to go on a one-week vacation.

Only then did the body realized how important and vital he was.

Moral; those little things or small people you think do not really matter are the ones that could build your future.

As we step into the new year, count the little progress, appreciate even the smallest person be it your staff, community, neighbor the street urchin, the beggar, all of these are the eco system that actually shapes your decision in a subconscious way sometimes we don't realize.

Win big but appreciate the little...... never underestimate the power of small  

Challenges and Innovations in Self-Driving Technology

                 Challenges and Innovations in Self-Driving Technology

In recent years, self-driving technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation, promising to revolutionize transportation worldwide. Basically, this technology aims to automate the task of driving, utilizing advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence algorithms to navigate vehicles safely without human intervention. The development of such advanced tech has been driven by the pursuit of safer roads, increased mobility for all individuals, and enhanced efficiency in transportation logistics.

Key Challenges Faced by Self-Driving Technology

1. Safety Concerns and Regulatory Hurdles: A major challenge for self-driving technology is ensuring it's safe and dependable. Autonomous vehicles need to handle unpredictable road situations and interact well with human-driven cars and pedestrians. Safety incidents involving these vehicles have sparked worries about whether they're ready to be widely used. Also, rules differ a lot between regions and countries, making it hard for developers and makers to introduce self-driving vehicles on a big scale.

2. Technological Limitations and Infrastructure Requirements: The advancement of self-driving technology relies on overcoming several technological obstacles. These include enhancing the precision and speed of sensors and AI systems, optimizing communication protocols between vehicles, and improving the reliability of navigation algorithms. Moreover, building the necessary infrastructure to support autonomous vehicles, such as smart roads and 5G networks, demands substantial investment and development to ensure seamless integration and functionality.

3. Public Perception and Acceptance: Many people are unsure about the safety and dependability of autonomous vehicles, pointing to notable accidents and ethical concerns regarding decision-making algorithms. To address these concerns, it's essential to have clear communication from stakeholders, rigorous testing and validation procedures, and clear evidence of enhanced safety and efficiency compared to conventional human-driven vehicles.

Innovations Driving the Future of Self-Driving Technology

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Advancements: Recent innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

   
   have significantly enhanced the capabilities of self-driving technology. Enhanced AI algorithms can now analyze large volumes of sensor data instantly, empowering autonomous vehicles to make quick decisions and adjust to changing environments. Machine learning techniques enable vehicles to learn from past experiences, enhancing their capability to anticipate and handle complex traffic situations effectively.

2. Sensor Technology and Perception Systems: Technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, and camera systems are vital for providing accurate data inputs to autonomous driving systems. These sensors offer precise measurements of the vehicle's surroundings, enabling safe navigation. Ongoing research aims to make sensors smaller and more affordable, while enhancing their accuracy and reliability in different weather and lighting conditions.

3. Connectivity and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication is a cutting-edge technology that promises to greatly improve the safety and efficiency of self-driving cars. It enables vehicles to communicate with each other, traffic signals, and other road users in real-time. This means cars can work together more effectively, like merging smoothly and navigating intersections cooperatively. As a result, traffic congestion is reduced and overall traffic flow improves significantly.

4. Ethical and Legal Frameworks: Ensuring self-driving technology is used responsibly involves addressing ethical concerns and setting strong legal rules. Ethical dilemmas, like how algorithms make decisions in emergencies, need careful thought and agreement among policymakers, ethicists, and industry leaders. Clear laws are crucial too, to define who is responsible if accidents happen or the technology fails. This helps maintain accountability and builds trust with consumers.

Conclusion

The journey of self-driving technology is marked by both formidable challenges and remarkable innovations. As developers and researchers continue to push the boundaries of technological possibility, the future holds promise for safer, more efficient transportation systems worldwide. Overcoming safety concerns, advancing AI capabilities, enhancing sensor technology, and fostering public acceptance are critical steps toward realizing the full potential of autonomous vehicles.