Technology 9 Unit 1 Assignment

1. Describe the following sources that can be used to produce

electricity:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Turbines in nuclear plants

Hydroelectric stations
Fossil fuels
Solar panels/collectors
Windmills
Batteries
Hydrogen cells

2. The following diagram shows how electricity is distributed from a

power source to homes and business.

Describe the purpose of each of the following items in the

diagram:
i.
ii.
iii.

Transformer
Substation
Explain why electricity is carried at very high voltages
during
transmission.
1.

i.

Turbines in nuclear plants: The turbines in the nuclear plants

are called steam turbines which are connected to an electric

Technology 9 Unit 1 Assignment

ii.
iii.

iv.

v.
vi.
vii.

generator which produces energy, heat is used to generate

steam which drives the turbines.
Hydroelectric stations: Hydroelectric generating stations are
plants that produce electricity by using water to propel the
turbines, which turns to drive the generators.
Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuel is a general term for buried
combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, it is
formed from decaying plants and animals that have been
changed into crude, oil, coal, natural gas or heavy oils.
Solar panels/collectors: A solar thermal collector collects heat
by absorbing sunlight. A collector is a device for capturing
solar radiation. Solar radiation is energy in the form of
electromagnetic radiation from the infrared, (which is long
waves) to the ultraviolet (which is short waves) wavelengths.
Windmills: A windmill is a mill that converts the energy of wind
into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or
blades.
Batteries: A battery is a device consisting of two or more
electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into
electrical energy.
Hydrogen cells: A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to
produce electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are often
compared to batteries. Both convert the energy produced by a
chemical reaction into usable electric power.
2.
i.
Transformer: A transformer is an electrical device that
transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits
through electromagnetic induction. Basically a
transformer is used to increase or decrease the voltages
of alternating current in electric power applications.
ii.
Substation: A substation is a part of an electrical
generation, transmission, and distribution system.
Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the
reverse, or perform any of the several other important
functions.
iii.
Electricity is carried at very high voltages during
transmission because low voltages have many line losts
and cant go as far of a distance as high voltages, high
voltages also dont have as much line losses therefore
the high voltages are a better choice.