How Is Electricity Made
Electricity is the net motion of charge. What makes a charge want to move is called a Voltage. Voltages can be created through many means: Induction: A conductor (copper, aluminium, etc) experiencing a changing/moving magnetic field. Note that a constant magnetic field will not work. You can’t hold a magnet to a piece of metal and expect sparks. Wind farms, nuclear generators, coal power stations and petrol generators use this principle. You can also get an existing bit of electricity to create a changing magnetic field which in turn creates a new voltage: This is called electromagnetic induction as is used in transformers and wireless chargers. Chemical: Two different chemicals have differeny affinities or electronegativities, that is, they attract electrons (little charges) to different extents. If two chemical compounds are placed close to each other, then electrons can move from one to the other (this is a chemical reaction). If instead of moving directly, they are made to flow aro
There are many ways to generate electricity. Here’s a good beginning article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_generation Most electricity distributed by electric companies today is generated by burning coal to turn a turbine which drives an electrical generator. The “magic” takes place in the generator. Here’s a good beginning article on generators also from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.
There are many different ways to make electricity. Each method involves the use of a turbine to spin and convert kinetic energy into electricity. Electricity is made when a turbine moves a large magnet around a very large wire. This movement serves to electrify the wire. Electricity is then pushed away from this generator through special transformers. Steam, combustion gases, and water are commonly used to turn turbines for the creation of electricity. Wind may be used as well. When steam is used, fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, or coal, are often burned for the purpose of creating steam from water. The steam is then used to spin the turbine and create electricity. Sometimes nuclear energy is used to create steam to turn turbines. When nuclear power is used, uranium is split apart, creating heat energy. The heat energy is applied to water, creating steam for use in turning a turbine. Combustion gases may be used to create electricity. In such cases, a gas turbine is employed in burning
