Kids Corner

You can use the alphabet below to the find words that begin with that letter.

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– electric current that reverses direction many times per second
– this is the type of electricity that's used in your home
– often abbreviated as AC

– the unit for measuring electric current
– named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère who played a role in discovering electromagnetism.
– Visit the History of Making Electricity section for more information.

– the smallest particle of an element
– everything is made up of tiny atoms

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– a device that stores energy and makes it available as electricity

– renewable source of energy that uses organic waste to produce electricity
– for example, wood by-products, plants, crops, and animal waste are used instead of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.
– this resource is considered clean because it can be used over and over again without any negative effects on the environment.
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a total power failure over a large area, usually caused by a breakdown at a power plant or large transmission facility

– a small, temporary reduction of voltage and/or power
– usually caused by the utility company trying to conserve power during heavy periods of use
– often causes lights to dim

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– a device that delivers an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction (i.e. a battery)

– the amount of electricity an object contains

– an electric device that provides a path for electric current to flow

– a fossil fuel that's burned in the large boilers.
– the burning coal heats water in a boiler and this produces steam, which spins a turbine engine and produces electricity
– this is a non-renewable energy source
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a substance that allows electric current to pass through it

– the flow of electricity in an electric circuit
– it's measured in amps

– a colourless gas that has no smell
– also known as CO₂, it's present in the Earth's atmosphere and is produced when fossil fuels are burnt

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– a type of electric energy that travels in one direction
– often abbreviated as DC
– batteries produce a direct current

– an electric generator that produces a direct current

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– a form of energy that's produced by the flow of electrons
– provides power for lighting, appliances, and other electric devices in our homes and businesses
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– the physical reaction caused when electricity flows through the body
– it can occur when your body comes in contact with any source of voltage high enough to send current through your muscles or hair
– may cause tissue damage or a heart attack if the current is high enough

– chemical changes produced by passing a current through a water solution

– a magnet formed when an electric current flows through a wire or other conductor

– when an object is made magnetic by an electric current

– a basic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom
– the flow of electrons produces electricity

– the ability to do work
– people get energy from food, but things like your iPod, a video game player, or a cell phone get their energy from electricity

– using energy wisely and not wasting it

– a product that uses less energy, saves money, and helps protect the environment

– any thing or any action that is not harmful or damaging to the environment

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– any kind of fuel that is found under the ground, like coal, oil, or gas
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a device that converts the energy of a fuel - such as hydrogen - into electricity or heat

– a protective device that's designed to melt or break when the current flowing through it becomes too strong
– a fuse helps protect against fire

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– a machine that produces electricity by converting mechanical energy into electric energy

– using heat from below the Earth's surface to create electricity
– it's a renewable source of energy
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a connection between an electric device and the earth

– a network of electric power lines and connections that delivers electricity to our homes and businesses

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– also known as water power, this renewable energy source uses water from a river or dam to generate electricity
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

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– a material that does not allow the flow of electricity to pass through it

– an organization that was established in 1999
– responsible for the day-to-day operation of Ontario's electrical system

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– the unit used to measure electric energy
– there are 1,000 watts in one kilowatt

– this measurement refers to the use of 1,000 watts of electricity in one hour
- 1kWh = ten 100 watt bulbs all burning at the same time for one hour
- 10 bulbs x 100 watts each hour x 1 hour = 1,000 watts hours or 1kWh

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– developed in 1994, this program encourages building homes and structures that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient
– certification program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings

– an electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to the earth
– it is accompanied by a flash of light

– the amount of electricity consumed by an electric device, such as a video game or an appliance

– these companies take power from high-voltage transmission lines, transform the electricity to a lower voltage level, and provide it to local companies
– they monitor the electricity distribution system, which is important for all electricity consumers

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– an object that is surrounded by a magnetic field
– it has the natural power to attract objects made of iron or steel

– the area around a magnet in which objects are attracted or repelled

– the energy of an object in motion

– a unit of electricity equivalent to 1000kW or 1 million watts (MW)

– a device that measures the levels of customers' electricity and gas use

– a machine that converts energy to motion or power

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– the energy generated in a nuclear power plant
– it's produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor

– part of a nuclear power plant where atoms break into many parts and power is generated

– fuels that cannot be made easily and take millions of years to form
– oil, coal, and gas are examples of non-renewable energy

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– the basic unit for measuring resistance to an electric current
– it was named after German physicist Georg Ohm, who researched the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance
–Visit the History of Making Electricity section for more information.

– a corporation that's responsible for managing natural gas and electricity utilities in Ontario
– part of its responsibility includes setting the price of gas and power

– an association that's formed to allow information to be shared between organizations within the energy industry

– a public company that's owned by the government of Ontario
– it is Canada's largest owner and operator of nuclear power plants, as well as some alternative energy sites

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– a solar power technology that converts the sun's light into electricity

– the energy used to do work

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– a technology that allows the transmission of sound or other signals by electromagnetic waves though the air

– fuels that do not run out and can generate electricity cleanly
– examples include solar power, wind power, and hydroelectricity
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– this is the degree to which a substance resists, or opposes, an electric current

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– the opening that a light bulb screws into

– this is energy that's created directly from the light or heat of the sun
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a charge of electricity that's generated by the friction between two objects

– a mechanical device used to turn a current on or off in an electric circuit

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– a word used to mean "heat"
– a thermal power station uses heat to produce electricity
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– an electric device that is used to raise or lower the voltage of electricity
– voltage is increased at a transformer so it can be transmitted over long distances and then it is decreased at another transformer so it can be distributed to customers
– To learn more, visit the What is Electricity section

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– a unit of measurement for electricity
– it indicates how much pressure there is on an electric current
– named after Alessandro Volta, who invented the first battery

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– unit for measuring electric power
– it was named after Scottish inventor James Watt, who made improvements to the steam engine during the 1700s
– Visit the History for Making Electricity section for more information.

– also known as hydroelectricity, this renewable energy source uses water from a river or dam to generate electricity
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

– a rotating machine that converts the energy of wind into mechanical energy
– this energy turns a rotating generator shaft, converting it into electricity
– this is a renewable energy source
– To learn more, visit The Ins and Outs of Making Electricity section

See the Cool Links section for web sites and more information.