http://www.ck12.org Chapter 5. Energy
A:When the water is in the reservoir, it has potential energy because of gravity. Potential energy is stored in the
water because of its position behind the dam. When the water flows into the intake pipe, gravity pulls it downhill to
the power plant.
Summary
- An electric generator is a device that produces electricity through electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic
induction is the process of generating electric current with a magnetic field. - Generators may produce either alternating or direct current, but they all change kinetic energy to electrical
energy.
Vocabulary
- electric generator: Device that changes kinetic energy to electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.
Explore More
Explore the electric generator simulation at the following URL. Then describe factors that affect the voltage of the
generated current. http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/generator
Review
- Identify the parts of an electric generator and what they do.
- Explain how an electric generator in a hydroelectric power plant changes kinetic energy to electrical energy.
- An electric motor is a device that changes electrical energy to kinetic energy. How is an electric generator like
an electric motor in reverse?