Alternating-Current Generators
Alternating-Current Generators
6
Student activity
Name ........................................................................ Class ................... Date ......................
Aims
In this activity you will learn about the two types of generator used to generate
electricity using electromagnetic induction: alternators, which generate a.c., and
dynamos, which generate d.c.
Learning outcomes
After completing this activity, you should be able to:
• describe the operation of an alternator in simple terms
• describe the operation of a d.c. generator
• identify the period and peak output voltage for generators from an oscilloscope
trace
• describe the output of an alternator, linking this to the position of the coil
relative to the magnetic field, and to the speed of rotation
• explain the operation of a d.c. generator and its output
• explain why the peak voltage of an a.c. generator is produced when the plane
of the coil is parallel to the magnetic field lines.
Task
Your teacher will demonstrate an alternator (a.c. generator) and a dynamo
(d.c. generator). Observe the induced potential difference closely for each type of
generator and look at how they are constructed. Then answer the questions below.
Questions
Alternator
1 a Sketch the output potential difference of the alternator from the demonstration.
(2 marks)
b What is the peak potential difference?
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
3 The diagram shows an alternator. Label the following parts: magnets, coil, slip
rings, brushes. (4 marks)
4 State which of the following parts move when the alternator is in operation:
magnets, coil, slip rings, brushes.
(1 mark)
5 State which of the following parts are attached to each other: magnet, coil, slip
rings, brushes.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
7 The graph shows the output potential difference of an alternator during one full
turn of the coil.
a Which two positions on the graph match the coil angle labelled a?
(1 mark)
b Which two positions on the graph match the coil angle labelled b?
(1 mark)
8 Explain why:
a the alternator generates a potential difference
(1 mark)
(3 marks)
Dynamo
9 a Sketch the output potential difference of the dynamo from the demonstration.
(2 marks)
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
10 The diagram shows a dynamo. Label the following parts: magnets, coil, split-
ring commutator, brushes. (4 marks)
11 State which of the following parts move when the dynamo is in operation:
magnets, coil, split-ring commutator, brushes.
(1 mark)
12 State which of the following parts are attached to each other: magnets, coil,
split-ring commutator, brushes.
(1 mark)
(3 marks)
14 The graph shows the output potential difference of a dynamo during one full
turn of the coil.
a Which two positions on the graph match the coil angle labelled a?
(1 mark)
b Which two positions on the graph match the coil angle labelled b?
(1 mark)
15 Explain why:
a the dynamo generates a potential difference
(1 mark)
(3 marks)
Student follow-up
1 Describe the effect on the current in a circuit if the potential difference is
alternating.
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
b Explain why the dynamo works even though the magnets move instead of
the coil.
(1 mark)
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
Extension
7 Explain both of the ways of increasing output that you described in your
answer to Question 6.
(3 marks)
8 Compare a.c. and d.c. generators, describing their differences and similarities.
(5 marks)
9 The output of a dynamo can be described as d.c., but it is different from the
output from a battery, which is also described as d.c. Describe the difference
between the output of a dynamo and the output of a battery.
(2 marks)