What Is an Electric Magnet Generator?
Magnets are objects that generate magnetic fields. These magnetic fields can attract some kinds of metal to the magnets. Magnets also interact, attracting or repelling each other depending on their relative orientation. In addition, magnets perform an important function in the generation of electricity.
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History
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Early 19th century scientists thought electricity and magnetism were two distinct phenomena. This belief changed in 1820, when Hans Christian Oersted was performing electrical experiments in his laboratory and discovered that electrical currents could generate magnetic fields. For the first time, electricity and magnetism were seen as different aspects of the same phenomenon. Inspired by this revelation, scientist Michael Faraday discovered how to use magnets to generate electricity. With the discovery of "Faraday's Law." the electric generator was born.
Theory of Magnetic Generation of Electricity
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Faraday's Law states that a changing magnetic field will generate electricity in a coil of wire. It doesm't matter how the magnetic field changes. It could be the result of using a magnetic field that waxes and wanes. It could result from moving a permanent magnet closer to and farther from the loop. Any change in the magnetic field the loop is exposed to will generate the electricity.
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Function
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An electric generator is essentially a loop of wire made to turn in close proximity to one or more magnets. This makes the loop experience a changing magnetic field. An electric generator transforms mechanical energy--the energy used to make the loop physically turn--into electrical energy.
Types
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Many types of electric generators use magnets to produce electricity. Wind turbines cause coils of wire to rotate through a magnetic field by pushing on them with a propeller that is turned by the wind. Water turbines pour water onto a water wheel, turning it, which causes its generator's coils to rotate. Steam turbines use pressurized steam to rotate the generator coils. Hand crank generators have the coil spun directly by hand.
Considerations
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Generators produce alternating current. However, generators are often used to charge batteries or run small tools. These applications require direct current. To make an electric generator perform these functions, some means of changing the alternating current into direct current must be added to the generator.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit eolic generator image by Gonçalo Carreira from Fotolia.com
