Generating Electricity
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by: MichaelSullivan | Total views: 23 | Word Count: 325
Electricity is the backbone of our economy and our everyday lives. Production of energy is therefore very important to maintaining our style of life. Electricity is currently made mainly by the burning of fossil fuels (coal), nuclear fission, and with energy derived from water and wind.
To generate electricity, in many cases we use energy to drive turbines which have magnets in them. As the magnets spin, they can induce current in a surrounding wire. These are a few ways that we make electricity:
Fossil fuels. They are burned and used to heat up water in large furnaces or along heated pipes. Large amounts of water vapor can then be used to turn turbines and drive the magnets. These fuels are generally very polluting to the atmosphere and the Earth. They include coal, petrol products and natural gas. They also cannot be renewed once burned, so depending on them for much longer would be foolish.
Moving water. Hydroelectric dams are set up to channel water down into turbines so the falling energy of the water can drive them. Dams can also control and restrict the movement of water bodies which can be beneficial. The only problem is that local ecosystems may be affected.
Over 90 % of the world's renewable energy is produced by hydroelectric dams.
Wind power. Wind turbines can use propeller-like blades to directly turn a motor which will generate electricity. These wind generators may have to be high up in the air to gather enough wind in some places, but they are very environmentally sound.
Nuclear fission. There is a lot of energy in matter, and some unstable elements, like uranium or plutonium isotopes, can be used to generate a nuclear reaction which is then used to heat water, create vapor and turn turbines.
Solar energy. The energy of the sun's rays can also be used to make electricity, without turning a turbine. Photons transfer their energy directly to electrons in solar panels to start the electrical circuit.
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