1. Making Electricity

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

6. 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.

7. Wind Energy

8. 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.