Chapter 6 Answers

1. Describe how a simple generator produces electric energy.

A wire coil is moved through a magnetic field. This can be achieved by moving the coil around the magnet or by moving the magnet through the coil. 

2. List two things you can do to increase the amount of electric energy produced by a generator.

Posssible answers:

• Use stronger magnets

• Use more wire

• Use thinner wire

• Use a more conductive type of wire

6.2

1. List four steps as the energy in coal is converted to electricity in a thermoelectric generating station.

• Coal is pulverized and blown into the combustion chamber of the furnace.

• Coal is burned in the combustion chamber of hte furnace

• Thermal energy from burning coal turns the water to steam.

• Steam flows through pipes onto the fan blades of the turbine, making the turbine spin.

• The spinning turbine turns the generator.

• The generator converts mechanical energy into electric energy.

2. What is a turbine?

A turbine is a device that has a central drive shaft fitted with curved blades that cause it to whirl when a force is exerted on it. 

3. What does a thermo-electric plant have in common with a thermonuclear power plant?

Both types of power plants, thermal energy is converted to electric energy using steam and turbines.

4. Why does only 90% of the electric energy leaving a power plant reach the consumer?

Some is lost as the electricity travels through the power lines. As the energy travels along the lines, the electrons moving back and forth crash into each other. These collisions warm up the power lines and the air around it.