Generating Electricity

Objectives

• Know that electrical can be produced in a wide range of ways.

• Be able to name a variety of methods by which electrical energy can be produced, and state which methods are renewable and which are not.

• Be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of each method of generating electricity.

Task 1 - Starter

We use a lot of electrical energy in our homes.  You will already know some of the ways in which this electrical energy is produced.

Working with the person next to you, try to think of all the different methods we can use to generate electrical energy.  You should have seen some of these in Pembrokeshire - maybe even on your walk to school this morning.

Task 2

Your teacher will ask some of you to share your ideas about some of the methods used to generate electrical energy, and list them below.

Why do you think your teacher has separated them into two columns?  What characteristics do the methods in each column share?

Write the heading "Energy resources" in your exercise book.

• Copy the table above, and give each column a suitable heading.

• Mark the methods which use indirectly driven turbines with an asterisk (*).

• Mark the methods which use directly driven turbines with two asterisks (**).

• Mark the method which does not use turbines with a hash (#).

• Add a key at the bottom of your table to remind you what each of the labels mean.

Task 3

Your teacher will show you how a simple generator can be used to produce electricity, and describe and explain how the main methods of generating electricity work, using this powerpoint.  Suggest any advantages and disadvantages you can think of for each method.

Task 4

Your teacher will give you a set of cards with some disadvantages of each method of generating electricity.

Match each disadvantage to the correct method.

Homework/Extension

Your teacher will give you a set of cards, with an explanation of how each method of generating electricity works.  Match each method to the correct explanation.