Download Electrical Energy – Sources, Generation and Use

Res #___
Electrical Energy in the United States – Generation & Sources
Integrated Science 3
Name
11/15
Per:
 Part 1: Generating Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is popular because it is easily transformed into motion, heat or light. Recall that electrical energy is
the energy of electrons stored in or flowing through a conductor (wire) in a controlled motion. Electrons are already
present in wires, but will not move without a source of power. One example of a power source is a battery. Another is
an electrical power plant. Coal is the largest and most important source of energy for generating electricity in
electrical power plants. Because of environmental and some regional economic concerns, other energy sources are also
being used. The two major alternative sources are nuclear energy and hydropower. This activity is designed to
familiarize you with electrical power plants and the generation of electrical energy from source to use.
Diagram of Electric Power Generator
How you get your electricity. Draw/diagram/write how you think it works here:
Label this diagram from the PowerPoint
Description of Components in an Electric Power Generator
 Fuel/Source: Electrons in wires will not ___________ in an organized way without a source of ______________.
o
Electrical power plants differ in how they are powered:

Burning _____________, _____________, or _______________________

Biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel)

Nuclear fuel (uranium)

_______________

Wind

Hydroelectric (the ____________________ of water behind a dam)

__________________________ (heat from the earth)
 Turbine: Consists of ________________________ of moving blades
o
Transfers the energy in __________________ steam or water into the rotational (____________________)
energy of a shaft in a generator
o
Ultimately forces wire coils to _______________ within a magnetic field in the generator
 Generator: ____________________ energy is converted into __________________ energy
o
Thousands of coils of wire spin between the poles of a strong magnet
o
Electricity is generated at approximately ___________________ volts
 Transformer: A device that is used to ________________ (increase) or ________________ (decrease) voltage
o
Voltage is stepped up before traveling ____________ distances and stepped down before distribution to
_______________ and businesses.
 Transmission lines: Carry _________________________ many miles at high voltages (approximately 760,000 volts) to
the appropriate destination
 Distribution and Use: Electricity it “stepped-down” or decreased in a distribution _________________ to
approximately 12,000 volts
o
Voltage is then decreased further: between ______________________ lines extend to homes and buildings
where it is used
 Electricity is unique because it cannot be _________________. It must be produced _________________ and used
immediately!
 Part 2: Sources for Energy Generation throughout the world and the US
Ms. Mastro will show you some sites depicting energy usage around the world and in the United States. As she does,
take notes below on the significant findings.
WORLD-WIDE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND USAGE
US ENERGY PRODUCTION AND USAGE