Last Wednesday started out a normal day: I struggled to wake up, then went to work, then to my 10 a.m. circuits lecture. But then, I was empowered.
“I am a power source,” said my professor (she/her/hers). And I thought: ‘That is so true. So what’s stopping me from being a power source?’
For all the non-STEM people out there, a power source provides power, P, which is the change in energy, E, over time. Power is also the ability to do something. In a sentence: you have the power to do whatever you put your mind to. You also have the power to get off College Hill every now and then. Believe it or not, there’s a whole world out there.
A fellow circuits girly and I discovered that there are lots of ways that circuit vocabulary applies to real life. In that spirit, here are some electrifying (dare I say, power-ful) affirmations to get you through your day, along with some terminology so that the next time someone tries to mansplain circuits to you, you can show him who’s boss.
I feel charged up today.
Charge, Q, is a property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Taking charge could mean stealing electrons, but also means taking responsibility in a situation. In a sentence: you should be able to take charge of situations without adding “sorry”’s and exclamation points to soften the blow. You can also practice taking charge in securing a table in the Blue Room or ERC Cafe, going through the housing lottery, or staking out space to workout in the Nelson. Not that there are charged feelings in any of these activities.
I’m going to take charge of my day. (See above).
I am electrifying.
In a good way, of course. Make their hair stand on edge.
My potential is endless.
Electric potential is the amount of work needed to move a unit of charge from a reference point to another point in an electric field. Generally, potential is the capacity to do something. In a sentence: while opportunities are sometimes limited, you have limitless potential. Personally, I like to remind myself that I have the potential to figure out what’s going on in my classes. I might not get to that point for a while (or ever), but one day, I could be.
Today, I will have a high resistance to negative thoughts.
A resistor is an electrical component that limits the flow of current in a circuit. A resistor can also be someone who stands up against things that aren’t right. For example: resisting gender discrimination, pay gaps, workforce representation, etc. You can also try to resist smaller things, like paying for laundry, living in Grad Center, or being trampled while trying to wait in the 1:30 a.m. Jo’s line.
I’m going to power through my girlboss era.
You go girl, increase that positive energy (remember, P = E/t)
I can induce happiness today.
An inductor is another electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field.
I have the capacity to do anything.
A capacitor is yet another electrical component that stores energy in an electric field. You can store and expend your energy in a way that works best for you, magnetic, electric, or otherwise. There are also many ways to charge up your capacity, including but not limited to overpriced Ceremony drinks and spicy-withs.
I am a power source.
Yes, you are.