Making Electricity

Electricity is Made inside a Generator A generator takes mechanical energy (movement) and turns it into electrical energy. A generator makes electricity by turning a magnet inside a coil of wire. That is what makes electricity.

Most Power Plants Burn Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are non-renewable. Fossil fuels are burned to heat water and produce steam. This steam is used to turn a turbine.

Nuclear Power Plants Nuclear power plants do not burn fossil fuels. To create heat, uranium atoms are split in a process called fission. This heat is used to turn a turbine.

Alternative Energy Sources There are other ways to make electricity without creating heat. Wind Power: The movement of the wind (mechanical energy) is used to turn the magnet in the generator. Solar Power: The sun’s heat turns directly into electricity using solar cells. Hydroelectric Power: Using the movement of water (mechanical energy) is used to turn turbine.

Wind Energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcOFV4y5z8c

Batteries Batteries also make electricity They store energy inside of them (chemical energy). The chemical energy turns into electrical energy when a current is creating by touching each pole of the battery to metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Vb6hlLQSg