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Electromagnetism L6
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Electromagnetism L6
Generating Electricity
Electromagnetism
Discuss with a partner next to you how magnets can generate electricity.
Electromagnet Induction
Magnets and their magnetic fields can be used to make electricity. Moving magnetic fields pull and push electrons. Conductors such as copper and aluminum have electrons that are loosely held. Moving a magnet around a coil of wire, or moving a coil of wire around a magnet, pushes the electrons in the wire and creates an electrical current.
Generating Electricity
Spinning an electrical wire through a magnetic field generates electricity. During each turn of the wire, electrons get a kick from the magnetic field, moving them along. This creates electrical current, and machines that do this are called generators.
Electric Generators
A generator usually means a machine that makes electrical energy. It has a generator head with wires, spinning inside a magnetic field. The resulting electromagnetic induction makes electricity flow through the wires. Hybrid electric vehicles carry a generator powerful enough to make them go.
Electric Generators
Different things can be used to make the generator head spin. Some small ones are cranked by someone's arms or legs. Bigger ones are connected to an engine. The biggest ones use a steam turbine or hydroelectric water power. Some use wind power. Whatever makes it turn, the generator converts this energy into electrical energy.
Topic
Power Stations
The biggest generators that generate the most electricity are located in power stations. The relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor creates an electric current.
Steam Turbine
In big power stations the spinning is usually driven by a steam turbine. The steam may come from:
- Burning fossil fuels
- Nuclear power, using radioactive sources
- Using the earth's heat, called geothermal energy
- Using the sun's heat
Steam Turbine
Non-Steam Turbines
Some do not use steam engines to spin the generator.
Rather they use:
- Hydropower, which uses the power of moving water to drive turbines
- Using the wind to drive wind turbines
- Internal combustion engine power
Solar Energy
Solar power is arguably the cleanest, most reliable form of renewable energy available.
What is Solar Energy and How Do Solar Panels Work?
Topic
Solar Power
When most of us think of solar power, we think of the solar cells that turn rays of sunshine into electricity.
When photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel, and multiple panels can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels you can deploy, the more energy you can expect to generate.
Homework
1. What is electromagnetic induction?
2. How do generators produce electricity?
3. What are some sources of energy used to produce electricity in a generator?
4. Explain how a steam turbine is used in an electric generator.
5. Some power plant generators do not rely on steam turbines. What do they use to produce electricity? Explain the process.
6. a. What is solar power?
b. How is the process in which solar cells produce electricity different than generators?
7. Newsela article and question set.