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Sources of Electricity
10 questions By Tony R. Kuphaldt
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Question 7 of 10
Where does the energy come from that causes a battery to be a source of electricity for powering electrical devices? Ultimately, what is the energy source of a battery?
Reveal answerElectrical batteries derive their energy from chemical compounds stored within.
Notes:Battery electrochemistry is quite complex, and not easily addressed in a class environment unless all students have a good background knowledge of chemistry. It is not the point of this question to address issues of electrochemistry, but merely to point out the nature of a battery’s energy source.
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Question 8 of 10
Describe what a fuel cell is, and what the practical importance of such a device might be.
Reveal answer“Fuel cells” are essentially batteries externally supplied with chemicals for their source of energy.
Notes:Much attention has been directed toward fuel cells as energy conversion devices, for their high efficiency and environmentally “clean” operation. Your students should have no trouble finding current information on fuel cell technology.
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Question 9 of 10
What will happen, electrically speaking, when the shaft of the machine is turned?
Reveal answerA voltage will be “induced” in the wire coil as the magnet passes by.
Follow-up question: do you think the voltage generated by this machine would be DC or AC? Explain your answer.
Notes:Although this machine would not be very efficient in the form shown in the illustration, it would work to generate electricity when turned. As such, it demonstrates the principle of electromagnetic induction.
