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An Atom is the smallest piece of an element. An Atom contains a nucleus and electrons.
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A battery is a grouping of chemicals that release an electric charge. Batteries store electric charges within themselves with chemicals.
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Coal is a biological fuel created from ancient plant and animal material. When the plant and animal material goes under pressure and heat for thousands of years, the hydrogen bonds created during life were transformed into coal.
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A conduit, or penstock is a device in the wall of a dam that controls the flow of water to the turbine. Using a conduit avoids too much electricity, or not enough electricity generation.
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Fission is the nuclear energy generation used today. It is the splitting of Uranium atoms. This reaction releases a slow, steady stream of energy.
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A sandwiched layer of glass, water, air, and black metal used to collect solar energy. When sun strikes the black metal, it heats the water. The sun's energy is transferred to the water
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A fuel cell is like an efficient, ever running battery (as long as fuel is supplied). Generally, fuel cells run off of a hydrogen, oxygen fuel. The reaction within the fuel cell generates electricity without the use of turbines, steam, and generators, and is very efficient.
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Fusion is the fast, dangerous release of energy used in hydrogen bombs and on the sun. It is the combination of two hydrogen atoms together into one helium atom.
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A generator is a device used to generate electricity from a spinning shaft. A generator contains a magnet that spins in a coil of wire. This spinning of a magnet generates electricity.
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Natural gas is a biological fuel made from ancient plants and animals. When these plants and animals undergo thousands of years of pressure and heat, biological fuels such as natural gas are made.
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A nuclear reactor is the "nuclear furnace" where the chain reaction of fission is carried out. Within the reactor, uranium atoms are split, and heat energy is released.
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Oil is a biological fuel that is created from ancient plants and animals. When these plants and animals undergo thousands of years of pressure and heat, biological fuels such as oil are made.
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Oscillation is the vibration of an unstable atom that is about to undergo fission. When an extra electron is added to the orbit of an atom, it stresses the nucleus, causing it to vibrate, and eventually split.
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A disk shaped like a bowl. The Parabola is used to focus sunlight to a single point. The focused point of light is used to heat water.
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A propeller wheel is used in wind generation. It is a wheel that has blades attached to it, radiating outwards. When the wind blows, the propeller wheel spins, and the generator is turned.
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The bouncing of light off of a surface that does not absorb it. The light reverses direction during reflection.
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A kind of solar battery used to harvest energy from the sun. A solar cell is usually made of silicon, and when it is struck by sunlight, electricity is generated.
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Solar energy is the form of energy that radiates to the earth from the sun. Solar energy is used to power fuel cells, heat the oceans and land, and run Photosynthesis.
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Spokes are the blades on the top of a windmill. A spoke is much like a knife on an angle. When wind strikes the blade, it causes it to rotate. This rotation is transferred to the wheel, and turns a shaft. The shaft turns a generator.
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A Turbine is a wheel with blades on it. The blades are all bent on a common angle, and when a force such as wind, water, or steam strikes the blades, it causes them to rotate. Very often, a turbine is attached to a shaft, and to a generator. This generates electricity from the force.
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Uranium is the fuel used in a nuclear reactor. Its symbol is U on the periodic table of the elements.
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A reservoir is a large lake created behind a dam. The lake provides the water necessary for the hydroelectric plant.
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Wind is moving air created from an uneven heating of the earth's surface. Wind can be used to do work, such as spinning a windmill, or moving a boat across the ocean.
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 Eric Berlin from United States contributed:
I am very eager indeed to begin viewing the invention Edison created, Word up, I mean I'm a good student could life get any better than this? Looking at tours and where he laid his promethian paws. Shot out to all of you and yours. Now I want to explore the website. Thank you.
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Copyright © Team C004471 - The Energy Planet (ThinkQuest 2000)
Bibliography
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