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Most electricity is made by burning coal, using nuclear power, or hydro power. There are other ways to make electricity.

Sunlight can be focused on a small area and heat water to turn it to steam. Then the steam turns a turbine which turns a generator that makes electricity. Places like the southern United States get lots of sunlight, so they could use it to make a lot of their electricity. It doesn't pollute. Places like Alaska that don't get much sunlight for half the year wouldn't be able to use this very much.

There is also wind energy. They change wind into electricity by having it blow through windmills, and the wind spins the blades on a wind turbine. The blades are attached to a hub that is mounted on a turning shaft. The shaft goes through a gear transmission box where the turning speed is increased. The shaft then turns a generator that produces electricity. Windy places can use this to make a lot of their electricity.

Wave action can be made into electricity, too. This type of energy is called ocean energy. The up and down motion of the waves pushes air into and out of a chamber with turbine blades. The moving air spins the blades and tuns a generator to make electricity. This would be good for coastal areas.

There is also geothermal energy. This is energy that comes from the natural heat of the earth. The rocks under some areas of the world are very hot. This is the main source of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy usually takes place in one of three forms. The most useful type of geothermal energy is steam that forms from water in the rocks and ground water. The steam forces its way up to the surface, where it is sent through pipes to drive the turbines that turn the generators of a power plant to make electricity.

Index Nuc Coal Hydro Trans Quiz