This method of generating electricity, called induction, was discovered by Michael Faraday in He found that the stronger the magnets were, the more turns of wire in the coil, and the quicker the motion of the magnet or coil, the greater the voltage produced. Faraday also observed that it was more efficient if the coil was wound around a metal core, as this helped to concentrate the magnetic field.
What do the electrical terms voltage measured in volts and current measured in amperes, often shortened to amps mean?
Imagine the electric current flowing in a conducting wire to be like cars travelling along a motorway. The motorway is the wire and the voltage the speed at which the cars move. The current corresponds to the number of cars passing a given point each second. When a current flows through a wire, electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy, like heat in a heating element, light from the filament of a bulb, or sound from a loudspeaker.
The electric current could also be made to produce mechanical energy, which is what happens in an electric motor. A motor is therefore just a generator operating in reverse. Turn the drill handle as fast as you can and the bulb should light up. Generating electricity really is as simple as this!
Cars need a direct-current supply to operate the ignition, lights, windscreen wipers, etc. This is generated by an alternator which is mechanically coupled to the engine.
A device called a rectifier is used to convert the alternating current output to direct current. A dynamo on a bicycle, that produces electricity as you cycle, is another example of a generator.
Its basic design is just the same as the home-made generator described above. This free course, The science of nuclear energy, will delve into the science behind nuclear power and explain what happens inside a nuclear reactor and what it means for an element to be radioactive. It will explore some of the risks of producing nuclear power and examine the arguments for and against including it in future energy planning as well as looking at other potential future solutions.
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Remember, you can also make your own, personal feed by combining tags from around OpenLearn. The energy going into electrical current is actually coming from the energy used to spin the coil. Now finally! The amount of current a generator produces, depends mostly on at least three things: 1 how many loops of wire in the coil, 2 how fast the coil is spun and 3 how strong the magnetic field is.
How weak? Be careful, they can really pinch you. Magnetic fields inside electrical generators are similar to this. Update: This article was updated on May 21 to include nuclear energy among the energy sources listed. Read more: Curious Kids: why do leaves fall off trees? Hello, curious kids! Ask an adult to send your question to curiouskids theconversation.
Please tell us your name, age and which city you live in. Portsmouth Climate Festival — Portsmouth, Portsmouth. Electricity generators essentially convert kinetic energy the energy of motion into electrical energy. Electricity explained Magnets and electricity. What is energy? Units and calculators. Use of energy. Energy and the environment. Also in What is energy? Forms of energy Sources of energy Laws of energy. Also in Units and calculators explained Units and calculators Energy conversion calculators British thermal units Btu Degree days.
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