Energy Generation and Distribution

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How Does a Bicycle Generator Work?

• Energy Generation and Distribution

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A bicycle generator uses human power to generate
electricity
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A bicycle generator uses human power to generate
electricity But how?
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Conservation of Energy
Since energy is conserved, the chemical energy in
the persons body is converted into mechanical
energy in the bicycle, then electrical energy in
the motor.
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Motor
Armature

• Ampere's law states that an electric charge
  passing through a looped circuit produces a
  magnetic field.

Permanent Magnets

• Interaction of the internal electromagnet with a
  surrounding fixed magnet produces the attractive
  and repulsive force associated with the poles of
  magnets and causes rotation.

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Motor

• A motor uses electrical energy to create
  rotational motion, but the bicycle generator uses
  mechanical energy and converts it into
  electrical energy.

• The motor can act as a generator if the persons
  pedaling overcomes the electromotive force of the
  battery.

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Diode
Anode
Cathode

• A diode allows current to flow in only one
  direction (from anode to cathode). Without it,
  the motor would cause the tire to spin instead of
  the other way around.

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Generator

• Michael Faraday discovered that if an object or
  material that conducts electricity passes through
  a magnetic field, then an electric current will
  begin to flow through that material.

• In other words, the spinning tire causes the
  motor shaft to rotate, which produces a current
  through the leads.

Shaft
Leads
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Battery

• The electricity generated could be used to charge
  a battery and be stored, or could be used
  directly to power appliances.

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Inverter

• But there are two types of electric current
  direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).
• So we cant connect appliances directly to the
  generator unless we use an inverter.

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Inverter

• A car battery provides direct current for all the
  electrical components.
• Our homes, on the other hand, are powered by
  alternating current electricity.

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• Once the setup is complete, it can be used to
  power low-wattage household appliances, like
  charging a cell phone.
• For a challenge, try making a human-powered
  smoothie!

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Sources
Nicholson, Joseph. "How Does an Electric Motor
Work?." ehow.com. Web. 14 June 2010.
lthttp//www.ehow.com/how_4569196_electric-motor-wo
rk.htmlgt. Orwell, Mark. "How Do Electric
Generators Work?." ehow.com. Web. 14 June 2010.
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