Section 3 & 4 - Electrical Principles & Technologies

Thermocouple

transforms thermal energy into electrical energy through two different, intertwined metals

Energy

the ability to do work

Mechanical energy

energy possessed by an object because of its motion or its "potential to move"

Chemical Energy

energy found in chemicals, such as your food

Thermal Energy

fire or any type of heat

Electrical Energy

batteries, power stations, generators

Direct Current

when electricity flows in only one direction

Alternating Current

when electricity flows back and forth 60 times per second

Commutator

A split ring in a motor that breaks the flow of electricity for a moment and then reverses the connection of the coil

Brushes

A mechanism that makes electrical contact with the moving commutator in a motor

Armature

A rotating shaft and coil in a motor or generator

Transformers

A device that changes electricity at one voltage into electricity at a different voltage

Electromagnetic Induction

Generation of electric current in a conductor by a changing magnetic field

Power

the rate at which a device converts energy

Law of Conservation of Energy

fundamental principle that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed

Efficiency

ratio of the useful energy that comes out of a device to the total energy that went in

Kilowatt Hour

equal to a power consumption of 1000 W for one hour

Increasing Efficiency

you have to decrease friction (using bearings and lubricants)

Sources of energy that we may use

Fossil fuels, nuclear reactors, Hydro electric dams, Solar energy, Wind Energy, Hydrogen Fuel

Non-renewable

resources that, if we use them all up, they are gone (Fossil fuels)

Renewable

resources that are constantly being replenished (Sunlight, Wind)

Sustainability

the management of resources to they are there for future generations

Energy Conservation

trying to save the existing energy we have

Binary code

the language of computers (000110001111110)