(Chapter 8.3)

(http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/electgen.html)

Electricity generation - whether from fossil fuels, nuclear, renewable fuels, or other sources - is usually based on the fact that:

"When magnets are moved near a wire,
an electric current is generated in that wire."

 

In the picture, the shaft and loops of copper wire spin around. The magnets are on the outside (they don't move). Electricity is produced!  It is shown in the picture as a lighting bolt at the "+" and "-" terminals.

 

 

● Usually, the wire loops are forced to spin by a turbine, a large rotating wheel that is pushed by water, steam, or wind. 

 

 

 

● Direct Current (DC) flows in only one direction (ex. a battery), Alternating Current (AC) changes directions regularly (60 Hz in North America)

 

● A transformer is a device that can increase or decrease the voltage of an alternating current. 

● Voltage is stepped up at the power plant to travel along high voltage power lines (750,000 V).  This reduces loss of electricity in the wires. 

● Current is stepped down to enter your house so that it’s safe to use (120 V).