We get electricity by changing other forms
of energy.
For example,
we can burn coal or some other fuel
which changes chemical energy into thermal,
or heat, energy.
The heat energy will cause water to heat and
move in a tank.
Energy of motion is kinetic energy.
The kinetic energy in the water causes a turbine
to turn a generator.
A generator changes kinetic energy of a spinning
wire or coil of wire
to electrical energy.
The wire is surrounded on both sides by a
strong magnet.
On one side, the negative side of the magnet
is facing the wire.
On the other side,
the positive side of the magnet is facing
the wire.
Electrons within the wire are attracted to
the north part of a magnet
and will repel, or push away from, the south
part of a magnet.
By spinning the wire,
it continually passes by the two opposite
charges of magnetism.
The electrons within the wire move toward
the positive magnet end,
and away from the negative magnet end.
This continual moving back and forth
is an alternating electric current,
the same kind as we have in our homes and
school.
