Generating Electricity
Renewable Resources
Non-Renewable Resources
Fossil Fuels
Advantages
Disadvantages
Coal, oil, and natural gas
cheap 
easy to get.
Fossil fuels
Pollute the air
Contribute to global warming
They run out.
Nuclear Energy
Advantages
Nuclear energy is clean
and does not pollute the
air. It is also not
expensive.
Disavantages
There is slight risk of meltdown. Nuclear waste must be disposed of. It
remains radioactive for decades.
Hydroelectric
Advantages
- It does not pollute
the air. 
- It never
runs out.
Disadvantages
- Dams can only be
built in cerain areas.
- It disrupts the
environment of certain
animals.
Wind Energy
Advantages
- No air pollution.
- Cheap supply of 
  energy.
Disadvantages
- Wind turbines must
be built where wind
blows constantly.
- Spinning blades can
kill migrating birds.
Solar Energy
Advantages
Disadvantages
- The sun is not 
always shining.
- Solar panels are
very expensive.
- It is very clean.
- It never runs out.
- Requires no turbine
or generator.
How to Produce Electricity
Electricity is produced by a 
device called a generator. 

To produce electricity, the coils of
wire in the generator must be
rotated rapidly within a magnetic
field. 

A turbine is often used to turn
the generator. Steam, wind, or water can be 
used to turn the turbine.
Hoover Dam
Steam Turbine
Wind Farm