How can we take advantage of electrical currents?

So far we have talked about what electric currents are and the differences that exist between them. However, as you already know, everything that is studied in the subject of technology must have a practical purpose. That is, it has to be used to solve a problem or make life easier for people someway.

So why are electric currents useful? Well, they are useful because they provide many devices that make our life much more comfortable the energy they need to work.

A good example of this are electric motors, which are powered with electricity. A motor is the device that makes an elevator move up and down, saving us a lot of effort when climbing the stairs; it is also the device that allows trains and other vehicles to move, which saves us a lot of effort when we need to move from one place to another.

But there are many more examples, a lamp, for example, makes life much easier for us at night, allowing us to drive safely or simply take a walk on the street.

These and many other devices work thanks to the energy they receive from electric currents. Those devices are called electrical components.

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Some important electrical components.

The following table shows some of the most commonly used electrical components as well as the symbols used to represent them and their function:

Component	Image	Symbol	Function
Motor			Transform electric energy into movement.
Bulb (or lamp)			Transform electric energy into light.
Resistor			Transform electric energy into heat.
Buzzer			Transform electric energy into sound.

Apart from the previous ones, some other components are necessary:

Component	Image	Symbol	Function
Battery			Generates an electric current.
Switch			Allows or prevents the flow of current, changing the situation each time it is pressed.
Push switch (normally open)			It only allows electric current to flow when it is pressed.
Push switch (normally closed)			It only allows electric current to flow when it is not pressed.

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