Electricity explained? Oh yes!

Hi there

Tube generator, from www.creative-science.org.uk

Did you ever want to build your own electricity generator? For instance from wind or water motion?

Actually, I've been thinking of making a real wind turbine and have created 2 different designs. I made the paper models and they worked perfectly with a fan. Well, they didn't generate electricity though, yet :)

So, the following is kinda insight to electricity. I picked up some really really good videos over the Internet.

Here we go!

1] Simple electrical generator by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (5:53)

With some simple circuitry and a homemade hand powered generator Jonathan makes AC and DC electricity that could be used for charging a mobile phone or attaching to a wind turbine.

2] Shake-a-gen electrical generator by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (4:23)

The generator is based on the principle of Faraday induction where a changing magnetic field creates (induces) a voltage in a coil of wire. Shaking the can causes the magnetic field to change with time and so generates electricity in the coil - the LED lights!

3] How to generate electricity using a Faraday (Magnetic) Coil by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (3:48)

4] Simple wind turbine from paper by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (9:04)

Jonathan makes some simple paper windmills/turbines and experiments with a simple generator to power house hold devices such as torches, calculators and even a radio.

5] Electricity from water waves by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (4:48)

Jonathan describes three different ways of generating electrical power from water waves.

6] Piezo Electricity by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (3:00)

Some minerals such as quartz can produce electricity simply by squeezing or bending them - these are called piezoelectric crystals. Here is a simple and cheap demonstration you can do.

7] Sea water battery by Dr. Jonathan Hare, http://www.vega.org.uk. (3:43)

When two different metals are placed in a salt solution (an electrolyte) the chemistry produces a voltage. This is called a cell. By wiring up a number of these cells we can make a battery and use it to power electrical circuits.

8] Potato battery by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (6:35)
How to make a battery from a potato!

9] Solar cells by Dr. Jonathan Hare, YouTube. (6:09)
How do solar cells convert sunlight into electricity?

10] How to build a wind turbine by GeneratorBlue, YouTube (playlist)

Overall, I count 3 ways to generate electricity:
a. via converting mechanical energy;
b. chemical reactions;
c. from converting solar energy (the light).

In addition, if you got interested and would like to make something yourself, which is a definite fun, go here:

11] Making 6 kinds of generators, by http://www.creative-science.org.uk/

So, stand up, and get some free electricity! You'll love it!