how electrical power is made

Here are some of the ways we change one form of energy into electrical energy:

• Coal Burning coal heats water to make steam, which is forced down tubes to make wheels called turbines go round which in turn move the magnets to create electrical energy.

• Gas Burning gas is another way to create heat which again turns water into steam to provide energy.
  
  
• Water Think of a waterwheel, or the paddle going round on the back of a paddle steamer. Now imagine Niagara Falls and think how many wheels you could turn if you harnessed that amount of water.

• Nuclear Nuclear power stations use the power of the atom, the smallest particles which make up everything around us. If you split an atom it sets off a chain reaction which splits other atoms and gives off heat. That heat is to create steam to create electrical energy.
  
  
• Wind Modern windmills use the power of the wind to power 'turbines' (a special form of wheel) to make electrical energy. Each windmill, or wind turbine works like a tiny individual power station making its own electrical energy.

educational resources for KS3

• what is electricity?
• what do we use it for?
• using electrical energy
• why we need power stations
• generating electricity
• moving electricity around
• electricity networks animation
• spot the danger game
• why electricity can be dangerous
• staying safe around electricity

• If you have any questions about this page, please contact Victoria Richardson: victoria.richardson @ energynetworks.org

• Back to KS3 homepage