Michael FaradayBorn on September 22, 1791, this famous English physicist and chemist is best remembered for his understanding of electromagnetism. Once Faraday discovered that electricity could be made by moving a magnet inside a wire coil, he was able to build the first electric motor. He later built the first generator and transformer. He introduced several words that we still use today to discuss electricity: ion, electrode, cathode, and anode.

Distribution of electricity

How is electricity generated

The energy created is used to drive turbines in the power stations, which then turn magnets inside large copper coils to produce electricity. The copper coils are made up of billions of atoms and electrons. As the coils spin, the magnets cause the electrons to flow quickly from atom to atom creating electricity. Turbines are a set of blades or rotors that spin when drive by gas, water, steam or wind. The turbine provides the mechanical energy to turn the generator, which in turn produces the electricity.

Canada is the world's second-largest producer of hydroelectricity,[2] which accounted for 58% of all electric generation in 2007.[3][4] Since 1960, large hydroelectric projects, especially in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador, have significantly increased the country's generation capacity.

A conventional steam electric power plant converts fossil fuels - coal, gas or oil - into electric energy. Steam plants generate most of the electricity in the Canada. Fuel burned in the boiler releases heat, which boils water and converts it into high-pressure superheated steam. The steam enters a turbine where it expands and pushes against blades to turn the generator shaft to create electric current. After the steam passes through the turbine, condensers convert it to water that is returned by pumps to the boiler to repeat the cycle. Combustion gases exit through the stack. This process is basically the same for all fossil fuels. A stream of hot air carries coal, crushed to powder for easy burning, into the boiler. Oil generally enters as a fine spray of droplets in hot air.

Fossil Fuels as Electricity generators.

Fossil Fuels: Pros and Cons

Advantages

Cheaper source of energyProvide lots of jobsCoal does not need refining

Disadvantages

Non renewable resourceProduces airborne pollutionNO2, SO2 , CO2

Burning of coal releases mercuryDestroys landscape

Hydroelectricity

180 hydropower plants in Ontario

HydroelectricityOne of the first method to produce electricity and stll used largely

Advantages DisadvantagesDoes not pollute air or water Dams change the way water flows in certain

area.Renewable source of energy Land may be flooded for inhabitants Plenty of hydropower in Canada such as native lands in Quebec.

Migration of fish is often disruptedBuilding dams use many resources such as concrete, steel and fossil fuels.Suitable sites such as large flowing bodies of

water are not available everywhere.