Advertisement
Print

Physics

Generation of electricity

Page:

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  1. Next

Thermal power stations

In a thermal power station fuel such as coal, oil or gas is burned in a furnace to produce heat - chemical to heat energy.

  • this heat is used to change water into steam in the boiler.
  • the steam drives the turbine - heat to kinetic energy
  • this drives the generator to produce electricity - kinetic to electrical energy.
Thermal power station. Chemical energy is turned into heat when it boills water in a tank. The superheated steam (which is in the form of heat energy) powers turbines, which rotates, transforming the energy into kinetic energy. This inputs into an electricity generator to produce electrical energy in pylons which is then used by homes.

 

Click this audio clip to find out about electricty and how it is generated.

 

Page:

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  1. Next

Back to Energy matters index

Watch

Learning Zone Scotland

James Lovelock talks about options for energy production in the future.

Watch the clips below to learn more about the future of energy supply:

Power and efficiency

What is the best way to provide energy in the future?

Decommissioning a nuclear power station

Potential and kinetic energy

Links

SQA

SQA Physics Marking Guide

Instructions given to the teachers marking exams

Links

On Bitesize

On the web

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.