FR25 EP Workshop electricity

Using a cork, four wooden spoons, and a little glue, we make the alternator blades. Everything is glued to a magnetic field source (magnet), which is itself glued to a pulley. This allows the magnet to rotate. We place a coil of wire in front of the magnet. 

This is connected to an interface linked to a computer screen so that we can see the type of current being produced. Using a hair dryer (which simulates the wind), we can rotate the magnet in front of the coil of wire. We can then see that the current produced is alternating. 

Next, we place our “blades + magnet” device under the water tap. The force of the water turns the blades and the magnet and also produces alternating current. All power plants produce alternating current, which is supplied to every home in Europe. All wind and hydroelectric power plants around the world operate according to this principle.

We also produced electrical current using photovoltaic cells. We conducted three different experiments. First, we illuminated the cell with the light from the room. Next, we placed our hand on the cell. Finally, we illuminated the cell with a desk lamp. We observed that the electrical current produced is direct current (which does not vary over time) and that the power of the current is proportional to the brightness. All batteries operate on direct current. There are many solar power plants around the world, especially in hot countries.

We have demonstrated through this small-scale production and these few experiments that it is fairly simple to generate electricity in a clean and responsible manner using flow energy (renewable energy). Indeed, we are able to generate alternating current from air (wind). This is the basis of wind power plants. We can generate alternating current from water. This is the basis of hydroelectric power plants. We can generate direct current from light (sun). This is the basis of solar power plants.