Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Idea

Electrical Conduction and Ohm's Law

We usually use all our senses to become aware of objects. Light is seen with the eyes, pressure is felt in the ears and hands, and molecules are sensed in taste and smell. All these senses require an interaction between our bodies' sensory organs and external structures such as molecules or energy or physical objects.

The interactions that are important to taste, smell, and vision all require the flow of electrons within the body. Similarly, electrical charge moves through our nervous systems to inform the brain that a toe has been stubbed or a hand has gotten wet. All these signals, then, really rely on charge motion and, therefore, on Coulomb's law between like and unlike charges. Once again, all chemistry ...