Coal to Electricity

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Coal is a fuel that is found in the ground. It is made of the remains of plants that died millions of years ago. Soil piled up on top of the remains and that weight compacted it into a more dense material, called coal. The energy in the coal came from the sun and was stored in the plants. When the coal is burned, it gives up that energy as heat. The coal's heat energy can then be turned into electrical energy. This happens at a power plant.

  1. First the coal is mined and taken to a power plant.
  2. Then the coal is burned in a boiler which causes the water in the boiler pipes to become steam.
  3. The steam travels through the pipes to the turbine.
  4. The steam spins the turbine blades.
  5. The spinning blades turn a shaft connected to the generator.
  6. In the generator, big magnets spin close to coils of wire.
  7. When this happens, electrical current is produced in the wires.
  8. Then the electricity goes out through wires to homes, schools, and businesses.

 

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