How is electricity best defined in terms of energy?

Electricity is best defined as the energy of electrons flowing through conductors. This definition captures the essence of what electricity is: the movement of charged particles, specifically electrons, within a material, typically a metal conductor. When electrons move through a conductor, they create an electric current, which can be harnessed to do work, such as lighting a bulb or powering a device.

Understanding electricity in this way highlights its fundamental connection to the behavior of atoms and the flow of charges, which is central to many applications in electronics, electrical engineering, and technology. It emphasizes the role of electrons as carriers of energy, differentiating electrical energy from other forms like kinetic energy, which is linked to motion, or potential energy, which refers to stored energy.

Recognizing electricity in this context helps explain many phenomena in physics and engineering, such as resistance, conductance, and the generation of electromagnetic fields. This definition is foundational in understanding the principles behind how electrical systems operate and the scientific basis for their functionality.