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.

Technology 9 Unit 1 Assignment

1. i) Turbines in Nuclear Plants are used to convert the energy from
the high pressure steam to mechanical energy in the form of
shaft rotation so that the generator will turn.
ii) Hydroelectric generating station is a plant that produces
electricity by using water to propel the turbines, which, in turn,
drive the generators.
iii) Fossil Fuels are hydrocarbons, primarily coal, fuel oil or natural
gas, formed from the remains of dead plants and animals.
iv) Solar Panels convert the sun's rays into electricity by exciting
electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.
This electricity can then be used to supply renewable energy to
your home or business. Also called a collector.
v) A windmill is a mill that converts the energy of wind into
rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades.
vi) The purpose of a fuel cell is to produce an electrical current
that can be directed outside the cell to do work, such as
powering an electric motor or illuminating a light bulb or a city.
2. i) Transformer step down the high voltage electricity coming in
on the transmission lines, to a much lower voltage suitable to
send out on distribution wires.
ii) Substations are important components of the electrical
infrastructure required to keep reliable electricity available for
customers. Substations consist of high voltage electrical
equipment like transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers and
associated devices.
iii) Electricity is carried at very high voltages during transmission
because, its used so that you do not lose energy over a long
distance transmission.