How a Power Plant works Grade 6 Science

Generators A generator creates electric current by spinning coiled copper wire through a magnetic field. The magnetic field pushes and pulls electrons along a conductor (copper wire) the same way you can make water flow with the movement of your hand.

Generators Generators need to spin to create electric current. When the coiled wire moves past one side of a magnet, the electrons flow in one direction. When the coil moves past the other side of the magnet, the flow reverses direction. As the flow changes direction repeatedly, alternating current is created.

So what do power plants do? Power plants use massive generators to create electricity. Huge coils of copper wire are spun at high speeds through the magnetic fields of powerful electromagnets in order to generate electric current. But what makes them spin?

Turbines Turbines: the part of a generator that uses the motion of water, steam, or wind to turn the coils or magnets in the generator. Turbines work like propeller on a plane or boat.

Types of power plants and what moves the turbines Hydroelectric: Flowing water turns the turbines.

Types of power plants and what moves the turbines Fossil Fuel: Coal or oil burns, boils water, and steam drives the turbines.

Types of power plants and what moves the turbines Nuclear power: A nuclear chain-reaction boils water, and steam drives the turbines.

Types of power plants and what moves the turbines Wind power: The wind drives large windmill type turbines which turn the generator.

Just so you know... The turbines on a wind generator are BIG!

So... Generators create electricity by spinning coiled wire through a magnetic field. Power plants use huge generators. Turbines (similar to propellers) make the generators turn. Depending on the type of power station, either wind, water, or steam makes the turbines spin.