1007936
How is electricity generated? This reading, part of a series about the future of energy, introduces students to the production of electricity using a generator. Students read about the movement of electrons called current electricity. Static electricity is also discussed. Students follow as the generation of electric current is described using magnets in a generator. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Summary
| Subject keyword(s) | Electricity, Physical science, Physics |
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| Grade level | Middle School, High School, Informal Education |
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| Intended audience | Learner |
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| Resource type | Audio/Visual, Instructional Material, Reference Material |
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| Resource format | image, image/gif, image/jpeg, text, text/html |
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| Rights | Copyright 2004, Iowa Public Television. |
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Using this resource
Found in collection(s)
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| Title | Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) |
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| Link | http://msteacher2.org/ |
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| Description | The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience. |
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| Full description and distribution of resources |
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Content contained within the resource
Electrical Generation Energy and Work Potential & Kinetic Energy Types of Energy Atoms Circuits Electrical Generation Our Sun Timeline Sources A turbine turns the gears of the blue generator. Inside, copper coils move electrons along a circuit. The circuit snakes its way from the powerplant to the transmission grid to a substation all the way down to your home, where it lets you flip a switch to turn on light. Electricity is the controlled movement of electrons inside a conductor (like a copper wire). This type of electricity is called current electricity. It runs through wires. We can control this movement and use it to power items like our cars, lights, and computers. The other type of electricity is static electricity. You have seen static electricity when your hair stands up on dry days. Or maybe you've dragged your feet across a carpet and shocked someone. Static electricity is when a pool of electrons is waiting to transfer. When the opportunity presents itself ZAP! Luckily, we can take most types of energy and turn them into current electricity using a generator. Generators Generators use magnetic attraction to move electrons along a circuit (a path). The electrons flow until the attraction is switched off. (Typically we shut things off with buttons or switches.) A generator is basically a magnet that spins. As it spins, the electrons are moved along a wire. The movement of the electrons is the electrical energy we use. When the generator is shut down, the electrons quit moving and the electricity stops flowing. Explore More: Future of Energy Copyright 2004, Iowa Public Television The Explore More project is supported by funds from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and the USDE Star Schools Program. Images for Explore More have been provided courtesy of the following: Iowa Public Television Missouri Division of Tourism National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service(USDA ARS) US Department of Energy(USDE) US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service(USDA NRCS)
