What is Generators: Definition and 299 Discussions

In electricity generation, a generator is a device that converts motive power (mechanical energy) into electrical power for use in an external circuit. Sources of mechanical energy include steam turbines, gas turbines, water turbines, internal combustion engines, wind turbines and even hand cranks. The first electromagnetic generator, the Faraday disk, was invented in 1831 by British scientist Michael Faraday. Generators provide nearly all of the power for electric power grids.
The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by an electric motor, and motors and generators have many similarities. Many motors can be mechanically driven to generate electricity; frequently they make acceptable manual generators.

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  1. S

    Random Number Generators and ESP

    http://www.popsci.com/article/2006-07/diy-esp My explanation: 1) statistical anomalies are to be expected, due to the law of big numbers. 2) they're doing post-hoc predictions: "when statistical anomaly occurs => read the news and find the event"
  2. E

    Exploring the Source of Electrons in Generators

    scenario: If any generator ultimately 'pushes' current (free surface electrons) down a wire, moving trillions of trillions of electrons through power wires towards our homes and other uses . . . what is the source of electrons at the generator site to replenish electrons? There can not...
  3. Q

    Ok im mad confused about generators and kilowatt/kw hours

    Ok I am mad confused about generators and kilowatt/kw hours... And how the power companies price stuff. http://www.peakpowertools.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GGNQT100&Show=ExtInfo That thing produces 100kW I pay roughly 7 cents per kW hour from my power company. So if I used...
  4. A

    Understanding Composition of Point Symmetry Generators in Lie Algebras

    I am taking a first course in Lie algebras and currently working with this problem (see attached file). I understand that the product of the two operators should be regarded as composition. How to explain the final expression? Regards Staffan
  5. lavalamp

    Exploring Feasibility of Home/Neighborhood Nuclear Generators

    Recently I got a whole new central heating system. Apparently it's all very efficient (over 90%). The boiler is used to produce hot water that's piped round the house to radiators, and also to provide instantaneous hot water for the taps. However, since it is gas fired, it throws out rather a...
  6. P

    Question about Electric Generators (and Black emf)

    Please Help Me with this question. Thanks in advance! An ac generator with a maximum emf of 400 V is to be constructed from wire loops (radius 0.15 m). It will operate at a frequency of 60 Hz and use a magnetic field of 200 mT. How many loops will be needed? Given...
  7. S

    Parallel Synchronous Generators

    Hi, I am having trouble understanding the three light bulb method for checking whether of not two generators have the same phase sequence. It states in my book, "If all three bulbs get bright and dark together, then the systems have the same phase sequnce." My question is, if the two...
  8. G

    Percent efficiency of three power generators

    A coal power plant with three power generators is used to power a small city. If each generator uses 1.22 X 10^8 J of chemical energy in the coal every hour, and the average annual energy consumption of the city is 1.61 X 10^12 J. What is the efficiency of the generators? (Assume the...
  9. L

    Building Marx Generators - Tips & Advice Needed

    I have built a number of Marx generators ranging for 30KV to 4MV I have achieved good rise time but I was wondering if anyone else here had experience with them and could help me with decreasing the duration. I mainly need just building tips and such. My current one I am building will be in...
  10. quasar987

    A set of generators for a topolgy that is not a basis?

    It is clear that a basis for a topology generates that topology. (i.e. the smallest topology containing the basis is the topology that the basis is a basis of) But if we look at a generating set for a topology, is this generating set necessarily a basis? I am guessing that no in general...
  11. T

    Group Generators: Showing a^r is Generator of G

    Homework Statement Let G be a finite cyclic group of order n. Let a be a generator. Let r be an integer, not zero, and relatively prime to n. a)Show that a^r is also a generator of G. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution For the first one I need to show that for any...
  12. P

    Duality between generators of changes and observables in QM

    I've posted similar questions on a different forum previously, but since I'm feeling a bit guilty about going on at the one person there who answers, I'll post these here. Hope it's ok if I don't follow the template since they're more conceptual than a standard problem. Any help appreciated...
  13. E

    Find Number of Generators in Z_(p^r)

    Let p be a prime number. Find the number of generators of the cyclic group Z_(p^r), where r is an integer >=1. A small hint, please?
  14. U

    Creating a homomorphism with given generators

    I got the Dihedral Group D = <(1 2 3 4 5 6 ), (1 2)(3 4)(5 6)> and the symmetric group Sym(5). Now I want to construct a homomorphism f : D --> Sym(5). Am I free to map the generators (1 2 3 4 5 6) and (1 2)(3 4)(5 6) to any element in Sym(5) as long holds: f((1 2 3 4 5 6))6 = 1, f((1 2)(3...
  15. P

    How Do Commutation Relations Fit into the Concept of a Lie Algebra?

    After reading some threads I decided to post my question, since I couldn't find an sufficient answer. In general the generators of a lie group combined with the compostion [A,B]=ifB build a Lie-Algebra. Where the Generators build the base of the vectorspace. In a common vectorspace you can find...
  16. L

    Vandergraph generators and hair

    1. WHy does hair stand up when touching a vandergraph generator ,i know that negative charges repel other negative charges 3. is it the fact the hairs are negatively charged so repel each other or is it the electrons releasing into the air
  17. A

    Calculation Showing M_mu_nu Representation of Lorentz Generators

    Could somebody please show me the calculation which shows that the M_mu_nu representation of the Lorentz generators gives rise to a (1,0)+(0,0) representation? Thanks in advance
  18. P

    Capture waste heat from diesel electric generators

    Need help to find a way to capture waste heat from diesel electric generators (45 KW) to heat water for small hotel use (45 rooms + kitchen). Exploring all options: jacket water, oil, exhaust. Anyone please help.
  19. R

    Difference betten ac and dc generators

    can anyone explain the diff to me thx.:!) :!)
  20. E

    How do minimal tree generators work?

    I was wondering,could someone explain me how do minimal tree generators work?
  21. S

    Proving Non-Simplicity of Algebra with Two Generators

    Hi, I have been asked to prove that an algebra with only two generators can not be simple. I have thought about it and have tried to show that one of the two structure constants go to zero in the Lie algebra condition that [xi,xj]=sumoverk Cijkxk , but I can't find any way to show that (using...
  22. R

    Angular Momentum: Generators & Commutation Relations

    The angular momentum is the generator of spatial rotations. Are the commutation relations for angular momentum the result of the fact that rotations (all rotations, also classical) do not commute or are they the result of the quantization rules for quantum mechanical angular momentum? Are...
  23. N

    Can Radioisotope Generators Really Put an Elephant to Sleep?

    We've an old professor, can make an elephant sleep, bad notes, bad lectures and no real source for what we are studying...The thing is people just copy and paste his notes but ican't do that, i don't have this ability, i need some proper notes about generators, using sublimation, chromatography...
  24. mattmns

    Linear Algebra - Generators Proof

    Just curious if my proof is sufficient, again :smile: ------- Let A_{1},... ,A_{r} be generators of a subspace V of R^n. Let W be the set of all elements of R^n which are perpendicular to A_{1},... ,A_{r}. Show that the vectors of W are perpendicular to every element of V. ------- We must...
  25. S

    Understanding Lenz's Law: Motors and Generators Questions

    Hi everyone. At the moment I am doing motors and generators in physics, in particular Lenz's Law. I understand most of the stuff, but I am really just stuck on 2 questions. If you could help me, I would really be appreciative (explanations, not just answers preferable). Q1) A flexible metal...
  26. S

    Thermionic Generators: Low Efficiency Explained

    Why is the efficiency of generators working on thermionic emmission and the generators working on the seebeck effect (thermoelectric) so low?
  27. E

    Would Homopolar Generators Work with Magnet as Disc?

    Would Faraday's homopolar motor / generator work if it was rearranged to have the magnet as the disc and conductor / coils where the magnet used to be? A brushless version essentially. http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~moloney/AppComp/2001Entries/e11p/homopolar.htm Something tells me no, but...
  28. K

    Some more electromagnetism questions (ac generators)

    A few more questions that i am stuck with: An AC generator has a coil area of 120cm². The coil has 100 turns. The generator produces a peak voltage of 29V when the coil is turning at 6000 revolutions per minute. Calculate the magnetic flux density (assumed uniform) required. The rate of...
  29. L

    Why don't they use Pyromagnetic Generators in nuclear power plants?

    I just read some stuff on pyromagnetic generators, and my first thought was why don't they use the pyromagnetic generators in nuclear power plants and in any power plants that use thermal energy? You would skip conversion from thermal to mechanic, and then from mechanic to electric. I'm sure...
  30. B

    Generators and Electric Supply in Indonesia: Finding Resources

    hello... I'am Fandi from Indonesia. Because the lack of books and the economy crisis present in Indonesia, I encountered problem in finding good reference. can anybody tell me how generators supply electricity to houses? is there any online references? Thanks before. :smile:
  31. quantumdude

    Amplitude Modulation with Function Generators

    Hello everybody, I am trying to use a pair of Tektronix FG 503 Function Generators to modulate a carrier wave and produce an AM modulated signal. I tried running the output of one generator into the VCF input of the other, but it seems to give me FM modulation. I did this because I am...
  32. R

    Help: Generating AC with Hand-Driven Generator

    Hello I am supposed to design a hand driven AC generator. I kinda know how to do it. You just have some sort of coil and you rotate it in a magnetic field. Thats all good but for analysis part I am required to give specific information information about no of loops of the coil and total...
  33. M

    Generators (know r, l, B, angular speed of coil) how to find peak EMF?

    The coil of a generator has a radius of 0.14 m. When this coil is unwound, the wire from which it is made has a length of 5.7 m. The magnetic field of the generator is 0.20 T, and the coil rotates at an angular speed of 25 rad/s. What is the peak emf of this generator? Please help me get...
  34. I

    AC Generators: Voltage or Current Source?

    hey I'm wondering whether an ac generator would be classified as a voltage source or current source, or neither (if that's possible)? I'm asking you guys since i have nooooo idea how i would go about determining this. Thanks!
  35. A

    Practical investigation on motors and generators

    I'm not sure on what I have to do for this practical. I have to develop a theory and choose certain equipment for me to perform the investigation and obtain results... only i don't know where to start. the aim is: Investigate how the amplitude of a pendulum formed by a magnet and thread...
  36. V

    Learning about self-excited and separate shunt generators

    hi, I'm currently learning about self-excited and separate shunt generators, and I'm having a hard time comprehending the residual magnetism. i was just wondering if a generator have lost all of its residual magnetism, can it still build up an output voltage? can someone explain this to...
  37. C

    Generators of Modular Prime Systems

    Hello all, I am currently writing a program where I need to find a generator in VERY large modular prime systems, where p can be anywhere up to 2^1024. Is there an efficent (i.e. hopefully polynomial time on the number of bits) way to do this? For example, the current system I am working in is...
  38. B

    Blackjack, random number generators

    is there a way to 'beat' a random card generator in blackjack with card counting? a very simple card counting system works by counting high cards against low ones, if i have a count of +9 (high cards likely) with 3 decks left in the shoe i divide by # of decks left and get a +3 'true...
  39. M

    Generators: Water instead of a coil?

    Yea, I just had a pretty weird idea, can we instead use water instead of a coil since water is a conductor as well (impure water that is.). Can we instead rely on convection currents or water waves to power this generator?
  40. B

    How can I calculate the mechanical resistance of a generator for my DIY project?

    I'am making some calulations on a product that i later will atemte to build, and i was wondering how you calulate the resistance of a generator !? The mechanical resistance, that is how big a force will i need to drive e.g a 6v generator? All replays welcome Bonna
  41. B

    Magnetic Generators: Exploring Free Energy & Conservation of Energy

    Why couldn't permanent magnets be used to create electricity? If permanent magnets never lose or change their magnetic properties, then would a generator using permanent magnetics be essentially free energy? Isn't this some sort of contradiction to the conservation of energy?
  42. L

    Three questions: Motors, Generators, Batteries

    Question 1: Why use an iron core armature? I took an old electric motor apart to study it. I noticed the armature has windings around an iron core. Iron is used to concentrate the magnetic flux. But iron is also attracted to the electromagnets used to repell the armature windings! It seems to...
  43. E

    Main Features of DC Motors and Generators

    main features of dc motor (input dc) Two permanent magnets on opposite sides of the motor, with opposite poles facing each other. The pole faces are curved to fit around the armature. The armature consists of a cylinder of laminated iron mounted on an axle. Often there are longitudinal...
  44. M

    Can generators create electrons?

    An electric generator can make electrons, no one has found a manner to make a proton, not to the best of my knowledge, break? Yup! make? Nope! Electrons can be made, or "brought into being", there stability is nowheres near that of a protons, or a nucleated neutron...so's I would suspect...
  45. M

    Are EMP Generators Legal in the US, Florida? Voltage Speculation

    Are EMP generators llegal in the United states, more specifically florida? Also how much voltage do you speculate must be created to create an EM(P)?
  46. F

    Generate AC/DC w/o Contact Brushes: Is It Possible?

    I just saw a demonstration of an induction motors and was wondering if its possible to build an AC or DC generator without contact brushes? The only way I can think of is if you have a permanant magnet spinning near or within a coil or wire. Is there anyway to produce a magetic field with just...
  47. P

    Generators and the associated force?

    Question, does the force required to turn a generator change with changing current loads? Basically I’m wondering if it would take more force to turn a generator when there is a load, apposed to if there were zero load? Thanks Philip
  48. X

    Can Magnetic Field Generators Safely Contain Dangerous Substances?

    Is it possible to make a magnetic field generat something to contain something in a compact form like say i wanted to make it thin and tube like to hold electricty or plasma something in which is to dangerous to hold but could be contained in a magnetic field sorry if I am being a bit confusion...
  49. Rockazella

    Generator Principles and Equations Explained

    The latest assignment in my high school physics class is to study and teach the class about some part of the electrical distridution system. My part happens to be, How does a generator work and what are the principles behind it? I have sort of a basic lesson plan, but I want to make sure I'm...
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