Introduction:Generators and Motors

• Due to their nature batteries and cells produce a limited amount of electrical power
• A lot of the electricity used in homes and industries comes from generators
• Generators convert kinetic energy into electrical energy
• There are various types of generators
• For example:
• At Kariba water is used to turn turbines which produces the motion required to produce electricity
• At Hwange thermal energy from coal is used to produce steam which turns the turbines
• At Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in South Africa nuclear power produces steam to power turbines
• Geothermal power is also used to generate electricity
• Wind is used to turn turbines and produce electricity
• Petrol and Diesel generators burn fuel to generate electricity
• The generation of electrical energy from kinetic energy is a result of electromagnetic induction
• When the turbines are turned in all these cases
• They rotate a coil of conducting wire in a magnetic field
• This movement of the coil inside a magnetic field makes current flow inside the coil
• Electric Motors convert electrical energy into kinetic energy
• They are found in various household and industrial devices
• For example grinding mills, fridge compressors, cars etc

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.