For a TEST GRADE, you are building a model of a generator at home. This project is due FRIDAY, MARCH 24th. You have two and a half weeks, not including spring break to make this generator. You do not need to work on it during Spring Break, unless you want to. You have a week and a half before Spring Break and a week after Spring Break to build the generator.
This is an individual project. Remember it's for a TEST GRADE.
If you lost the rubric, go to the GRADES tab and you'll find the rubric for building a model generator.
Remember, if you make it work, you get extra credit!
Here are some helpful links for building your generator:
How do generators work? start at :28 (also difference between motors and generators)
How to make a simple generator THIS IS VERY HELPFUL!
How to build a simple homemade electric generator, video THIS IS HELPFUL TOO!
What is a magnet (since there is a spinning magnet in a generator)
Magnetism explained
What's inside a wind turbine_ (advanced)
Wind Energy Facts
Bicycle wheel, wind, and generator make electricity, video
Want to know what real generators look like? Here are some images of large generators in coal plants, dams, and geothermal plants.
Google Image Search, Coal Plant Electric Generator
Google Image Search, Hydroelectric Dam Generator
Google Image Search, Geothermal Power Plant Electric Generator
Interactive Infographic, How Wind Turbines Work
For more information on alternative energy, then go to the SCIENCE LINKS page and scroll down until you get to EARTH SCIENCE< and then Alternative energy
Here is some background information about how generators work:
Electricity= electrons moving in the same direction
Magnet= electrons aligned, forming a magnetic field around the object
A magnet has aligned electrons. When you spin a magnet with wire coiled around it, the electrons in the magnet can cause the electrons in the wire to move in the same direction, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using magnetism. A generator is a type of electromagnet. You can make a nail a temporary magnet, if you coil wire around it and connect to a battery. The electrons that are moving in the same direction in the wire, cause the electrons in the nail to be aligned, magnetizing it. Similarly, a generator has a spinning magnet. The magnet spins, causing electrons in the wire to flow in the same direction, thus converting to electrical energy.
We use generators to generate electricity with both fossil fuels and alternative energy. In all these forms, the generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It’s either steam from boiled water, or it’s the source itself, like wind or water.
Fossil Fuels
COAL, OIL, NATURAL GAS
We burn fossil fuels to heat and boil water which turns into steam. The steam turns the magnet in the generator, causing electrons to flow in the same direction in the wire that surrounds the magnet in the generator.
Alternative Energy Sources that use generators:
(When you make your project, you can attach your generator to one of these forms of energy.)
WIND- Wind turns the magnet in generator which causes electrons to move in the same direction in the wire.
HYDROELECTRIC- Falling water turns the magnet in generator.
GEOTHERMAL- heat from the earth turns the magnet in generator
NUCLEAR- (not renewable because it uses uranium) but it does use a generator and it is an alternative to burning fossil fuels. A chain reaction of splitting atoms releases heat which boils water. The steam spins the magnet in the generator.
SOLAR ENERGY and BIOFUELS are the only alternative energy sources that don't use generators.
This is an individual project. Remember it's for a TEST GRADE.
If you lost the rubric, go to the GRADES tab and you'll find the rubric for building a model generator.
Remember, if you make it work, you get extra credit!
Here are some helpful links for building your generator:
How do generators work? start at :28 (also difference between motors and generators)
How to make a simple generator THIS IS VERY HELPFUL!
How to build a simple homemade electric generator, video THIS IS HELPFUL TOO!
What is a magnet (since there is a spinning magnet in a generator)
Magnetism explained
What's inside a wind turbine_ (advanced)
Wind Energy Facts
Bicycle wheel, wind, and generator make electricity, video
Want to know what real generators look like? Here are some images of large generators in coal plants, dams, and geothermal plants.
Google Image Search, Coal Plant Electric Generator
Google Image Search, Hydroelectric Dam Generator
Google Image Search, Geothermal Power Plant Electric Generator
Interactive Infographic, How Wind Turbines Work
For more information on alternative energy, then go to the SCIENCE LINKS page and scroll down until you get to EARTH SCIENCE< and then Alternative energy
Here is some background information about how generators work:
Electricity= electrons moving in the same direction
Magnet= electrons aligned, forming a magnetic field around the object
A magnet has aligned electrons. When you spin a magnet with wire coiled around it, the electrons in the magnet can cause the electrons in the wire to move in the same direction, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using magnetism. A generator is a type of electromagnet. You can make a nail a temporary magnet, if you coil wire around it and connect to a battery. The electrons that are moving in the same direction in the wire, cause the electrons in the nail to be aligned, magnetizing it. Similarly, a generator has a spinning magnet. The magnet spins, causing electrons in the wire to flow in the same direction, thus converting to electrical energy.
We use generators to generate electricity with both fossil fuels and alternative energy. In all these forms, the generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It’s either steam from boiled water, or it’s the source itself, like wind or water.
Fossil Fuels
COAL, OIL, NATURAL GAS
We burn fossil fuels to heat and boil water which turns into steam. The steam turns the magnet in the generator, causing electrons to flow in the same direction in the wire that surrounds the magnet in the generator.
Alternative Energy Sources that use generators:
(When you make your project, you can attach your generator to one of these forms of energy.)
WIND- Wind turns the magnet in generator which causes electrons to move in the same direction in the wire.
HYDROELECTRIC- Falling water turns the magnet in generator.
GEOTHERMAL- heat from the earth turns the magnet in generator
NUCLEAR- (not renewable because it uses uranium) but it does use a generator and it is an alternative to burning fossil fuels. A chain reaction of splitting atoms releases heat which boils water. The steam spins the magnet in the generator.
SOLAR ENERGY and BIOFUELS are the only alternative energy sources that don't use generators.