How does a generator work in physics?

What you need:

• actually just time
• and interest

Power generation - the physical basics

In a battery becomes electrical energy generated by chemical reactions, but this is direct current, which can be used to supply devices with a comparatively low power requirement. However, the refrigerator or electric stove requires alternating current.

• Alternating current is generated in power plants, whereby kinetic energy (regardless of whether it is water or hot steam) is converted into electrical energy.
• This conversion is done by a generator. Incidentally, the word comes from the Latin for "generare" to produce.
• The basis of every generator is magnetic force and kinetic energy.
• Every magnet is surrounded by a (invisible) force field. Electric conductors through which a current flows also develop such a magnetic field around themselves (and can then influence smaller magnets).
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Magnet in the generator - its function simply explained

What does a magnet do in a generator and how do you generate electricity with it? The …

• As soon as such a magnet is moved in a wire spool, the pointer of a connected measuring device deflects - an electrical voltage is generated (briefly).
• In the physics This process is called induction: If a magnetic field changes, a force is exerted on the charges in the wire, the electrons, which they follow. A voltage arises because the electrons are no longer evenly distributed in the wire.
• At the ends of the coil, the two electrical poles are formed like a battery.
• If the direction of movement is reversed, the direction of force changes and with it the polarity of the coil.
• Continuous polarity reversal creates an alternating voltage.
• You are certainly familiar with a practical application of this principle: Your bicycle dynamo works according to it. The turning motion of the small upper wheel turns a permanent magnet surrounded by a coil. Power to illuminate the bicycle can be drawn from both ends of the coil.

Generator - this is how it works

• It is not far from the bicycle dynamo to the (of course much larger) generator: It also works according to the induction principle of physics.
• The main difference lies in the type of magnet used: a powerful electromagnet rotates in the generator. This is also known as a rotor or runner.
• Of course, direct current is required for this rotating electromagnet, as this is the only way to generate a magnetic field with constant polarity.
• This direct current is supplied by the so-called Exciter that is mechanically driven by the same shaft as the rotor.
• The coils are attached around the electromagnet. Since these do not move, this part of the generator is also known as the stator.
• In general, several large coil packs (usually three for three-phase current) are internally connected to one another by a ring line, after all, you want to generate strong currents.
• At the other end, a wire leads directly to the outside.