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Questions and Answers
What is electricity primarily generated from?
What is electricity primarily generated from?
- Mechanical energy alone
- Solar power only
- Wind energy solely
- Friction, induction, or chemical change (correct)
Which component converts mechanical energy into electrical energy?
Which component converts mechanical energy into electrical energy?
- Generator (correct)
- Turbine
- Transformer
- Battery
What type of turbine uses steam to generate mechanical energy?
What type of turbine uses steam to generate mechanical energy?
- Steam-driven turbine (correct)
- Wind turbine
- Water-driven turbine
- Nuclear-reactor turbine
What is one function of solar photovoltaic cells?
What is one function of solar photovoltaic cells?
Which statement correctly describes the role of turbines?
Which statement correctly describes the role of turbines?
What is required for a wind turbine to operate efficiently?
What is required for a wind turbine to operate efficiently?
What did Rudolf Diesel contribute to electricity production?
What did Rudolf Diesel contribute to electricity production?
Which of the following is a source of static electricity?
Which of the following is a source of static electricity?
What does the term 'Ion' refer to in electrical terms?
What does the term 'Ion' refer to in electrical terms?
What is the standard unit of measuring the strength of the electrical current?
What is the standard unit of measuring the strength of the electrical current?
What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?
What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?
How is an Ampere-Hour (Ah) calculated?
How is an Ampere-Hour (Ah) calculated?
Which of the following best describes Direct Current (DC)?
Which of the following best describes Direct Current (DC)?
What does frequency measure in electrical terms?
What does frequency measure in electrical terms?
What is the primary function of an inverter?
What is the primary function of an inverter?
Which of the following materials is considered an insulator?
Which of the following materials is considered an insulator?
Flashcards
Electric Current
Electric Current
The flow of electric charge through a conductor, often compared to the flow of water in a pipe.
Ampere-Hour (Ah)
Ampere-Hour (Ah)
A unit of measure for battery capacity, found by multiplying current (amperes) by time (hours).
Circuit
Circuit
A closed path where electrons from a voltage or current source flow. Circuits can be arranged in series, parallel, or combinations of both.
Volt/Voltage
Volt/Voltage
Electrical pressure that causes electrons to move through a conductor. Often referred to as electromotive force (EMF).
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Ampere
Ampere
The standard unit for measuring the strength of electric current.
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Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker
A device that stops the flow of current in an electric circuit to protect against overloads or faults.
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Waveform
Waveform
A graphical representation of electrical cycles showing the amount of variation in amplitude over a period of time.
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Capacitor
Capacitor
A device used to store an electric charge, typically consisting of two conductors separated by an insulator.
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What is electricity?
What is electricity?
Electricity is a form of energy that can be generated through various means, including friction, induction, or chemical change. It has both magnetic and radiant effects, and its fundamental nature underlies all matter.
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What is Static Discharge?
What is Static Discharge?
Static discharge is a phenomenon where an electric charge accumulates at rest, like the shock you get from walking on a carpet.
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What is a Turbine?
What is a Turbine?
A turbine is a rotary engine that converts the force of water, fuel, or wind into mechanical energy, which can then power a generator.
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What is a Generator?
What is a Generator?
A generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It is typically powered by a turbine.
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What are Water-driven Turbines?
What are Water-driven Turbines?
Water-driven turbines use the force of flowing water to generate mechanical energy, like in hydroelectric dams.
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What are Steam-driven Turbines?
What are Steam-driven Turbines?
Steam-driven turbines use heat energy, often from burning fuel, to create steam that drives a turbine, generating mechanical energy.
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What are Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)?
What are Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)?
Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are similar to car engines; they use combustion of fuel to generate mechanical energy, which can then be used to produce electricity.
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What are Wind Turbines?
What are Wind Turbines?
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity. They require a minimum wind speed of 10 miles per hour to operate effectively.
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Mechanical and Electrical Systems
- Mechanical and Electrical Systems (BU II) involves the study of building utility systems, focusing on electricity supply and mechanical equipment installation.
- It's a crucial aspect of building design and technology.
History of Electricity
- 600 BC: Amber was discovered to become electrically charged when rubbed.
- 1600 AD: William Gilbert described the electrification of various materials, becoming known as the "father of modern electricity."
- 1660 AD: Otto von Guericke invented a crude static electricity generating machine.
- 1729 AD: Stephen Gray differentiated between conductors and insulators. Charles DuFay identified two types of electricity: positive and negative.
- 1752 AD: Benjamin Franklin and Ebenezer Kinnersley named the two types of electricity "positive" and "negative."
- 1745 AD: Pieter van Musschenbroek invented the Leyden jar to store static electricity.
- 1747 AD: William Watson discharged a Leyden jar through a circuit, initiating research on current and circuits.
- 1827 AD: George Simon Ohm's law established the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance.
Other Key Developments
- 1841 AD: James Prescott Joule's law described electrical heating. Gustav Kirchhoff's rules are essential for circuit calculations
- 1819 AD: Han Christian Oersted discovered the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire.
- 1821 AD: André-Marie Ampère established electromagnetic laws and developed the electromagnet.
- 1831 AD: Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry invented the electric generator, contributing to power generation. Hippolyte Pixii created a hand-powered generator model.
- 1858 AD: The first steam-driven generator became operational.
- 1878 AD: Charles Brush installed the first arc lights, and Joseph Swan developed the carbon filament lamp.
- 1879 AD: Thomas Edison advocated for direct current (DC) and developed the first central electric power plant ("Pearl Street Plant") in 1882.
- 1888 AD: Charles Parsons introduced the steam turbine to generate alternating current (AC).
- 1893 AD: Nikola Tesla designed the first hydroelectric power station (Niagara Falls) that produced AC.
- 1900 AD: Coal was the primary fuel for electricity production during the late 19th century.
- 1950 AD: Natural gas and oil (from petroleum) became the leading clean-burning fuels for electricity generation. Nuclear power also began playing a role.
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