Ask an Expert

Answer: There are actually six games on this site. We have updated our See All Games page to make them easier to find: http://www.e-smartonline.net/duke-energy/games/game_landing.html.

Answer: NEVER put your finger in a power system or touch a power line because you could get hurt or die! If you put your finger into an electrical system of any kind, whether it is your home wiring system or some larger system of power lines that carry electricity to your neighborhood, you could be shocked by the electricity. You can't know ahead of time how bad the shock would be, but it will definitely not be good for you! Electric shock can cause muscle spasms, shallow breathing, rapid pulse, severe burns, unconsciousness, and yes, even death. So don't ever let any part of your body come in contact with an electrical power system, big or small!

Answer: NEVER touch a power line. You can get hurt! Electricity is always looking for the easiest path to the ground. So if you touch a power line with an object such as a pole or ladder while standing on the ground, or if you touch a power line while climbing a tree or utility pole, you could give the electricity that path to the ground. If so, you could be shocked, severely burned, or even killed. So never touch a power line with your hand or any object, and stay far away from power lines!

Answer: Birds can sit on power lines and not get electric shocks because the electricity is always looking for a way to get to the ground. The birds are not touching the ground or anything in contact with the ground, so the electricity will stay in the power line. But if a bird with large wings touches a power line and a tree or power pole at the same time, it gives electricity a path to the ground, and could be shocked. And if a bird touches two wires at once, it will create a circuit—electricity will flow through the bird and likely electrocute it.

Answer: Yes! Electricity always takes the easiest path to the ground. So if you touch a power line while you are standing on the ground or anything that is touching the ground (such as a ladder or a tree), electricity will travel through you. You could be seriously hurt or even killed. Remember, if you see a downed power line, stay away, keep others away, and call the electric utility.

Answer: Vehicles that run on natural gas instead of gasoline are called natural gas vehicles (NGVs). There are about 110,000 NGVs on U.S. roads today and over 12 million worldwide. NGVs are a popular transportation choice because they run cleaner than other vehicles. Compared to gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, they produce much lower levels of pollutants and cost less to maintain. Also, natural gas costs, on average, one-third less than conventional gasoline at the pump.

Answer: Yes. Inside a battery, a liquid with dissolved chemicals in it helps electrons move from one side, or terminal, of the battery to the other side, producing electricity. (Electrons are the basic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.) Sometimes these chemicals appear on the terminals of older batteries as a white deposit. Never touch this deposit, as it can irritate your skin or eyes.

Answer: Yes, the world, or earth, is a giant magnet, with its two magnetic poles being slightly off the actual geographic North and South poles. It is not known exactly why the earth is a magnet. Some scientists attribute it to the molten part of the earth beneath the crust, where moving electric charges cycle around (due to the earth’s rotation), creating a magnetic field. The earth’s magnetic properties can be seen by using a compass, a magnetic arrow balanced on the tip of a needle, which floats on a pivot and points to the magnetic north.

Answer: You can’t see electricity when it is flowing through a circuit. But if electricity leaves the circuit, as it does when someone is shocked, you can see a spark. The spark isn’t electricity itself. It is a flame that occurs when the electricity travels through the air and burns up oxygen particles.

Answer: Using either type of charger would not be a safe solution for creating an electromagnet. These types of chargers are designed for batteries only. Using a battery charger in this way could cause the charger to put out more electricity/charge than it is designed for, which could result in a short circuit and eventually a fire hazard! Talk with your science teacher or other advisor to help you find a safer option.