Generating electricity Flashcards
Generator
A machine that produces a voltage.
Turbine
A machine that uses steam or hot gas to turn a shaft.
Fossil fuels
Fuel obtained form long-dead biological materials.
Biofuel
Fuel made from animal or plant products.
Nuclear fission
The process in which certain nuclei (uranium-235 and plutonium-239) split into two fragments, releasing energy and two or three neutrons as a result.
Renewable energy
Energy from sources that never run out including wind energy, wave energy, tidal energy, hydroelectricity, solar energy and geothermal energy.
Wave
Disturbance in the water.
Tide
Rise and fall of sea level because of the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.
Solar energy
Energy from the sun or other light source.
Solar cell
Electrical cell that produces a voltage when in sunlight; solar cells are usually connected together in solar cell panels.
Solar power tower
Tower surrounded by mirrors that reflect sunlight onto a water tank at the top of the tower.
Geothermal energy
Energy form hot underground rocks.
Non-renewable
Something that cannot be replaced once it is used up.
National grid
The network of cables and transformers used to transfer electricity from power stations to consumers (i.e. Homes, shops, office, factories, etc).
Step-up transformer
Used to step the voltage up, for example, from a power station to the grid voltage.
