Electricity (from New Latin ēlectricus, "amberlike") is a general term for a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. This includes many well-known physical phenomena such as lightning, electromagnetic fields and electric currents, and is put to use in industrial applications such as electronics and electric power. These related, but distinct, concepts are better identified by more precise terms:

Electric field — an effect produced by an electrically charged object that exerts a force on other charged objects in its vicinity.

Electric potential — the capacity of an electric field to do work, typically measured in volts (V).

Electric current — a movement or flow of electrically charged particles,
typically measured in amperes (A).

Electrical energy — the energy made available by the flow of electric charge through an electrical conductor.

Electric power — the rate at which electric energy is converted to or from another energy form, such as light, heat, or mechanical energy.

Electric charge — a connection conserved property of some subatomic particles, which determines their electromagnetic interactions . Electric ally charged matter is influenced by, and produces, electromagnetic fields.

Electromagnetism — a fundamental interaction

History of electricity

Static electricity produced by rubbing objects against fur was known to the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, Parthians and Mesopotamians. Some propose that the Parthians and Mesopotamians may have had some knowledge of electroplating, based on the discovery of the Baghdad Battery, which resembles a galvanic cell.

In 1600 the English scientist William Gilbert first used the New Latin word electricus ("of amber" or "like amber", from ηλεκτρον [elektron], the Greek word for "amber") to refer to the property of attracting small objects after being rubbed. This soon gave rise to the English words "electric" and "electricity", in Sir Thomas Browne's Pseudodoxia Epidemica of 1646.

Further work was conducted by Otto von Guericke, Robert Boyle, Stephen Gray and C. F. du Fay. In the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin conducted extensive research in electricity. He had theories on the relationship between lightning and static electricity, including his famous kite-flying experiment,which was a key attached to a wet string and kite. During a lightning storm a small spark struck his finger showing that lightning is electricity. It sparked the interest of later scientists whose work provided the basis for modern electrical technology.