Given:
The flow of energy
To find:
The flow of energy from coal in a power plant to a lightbulb in your bedroom
Step-by-step explanation:
Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. Here the chemical energy changes to potential energy or mechanical energy in the form of steam.
Under tremendous pressure, the steam flows into a turbine, which spins a generator to create electricity. Here the mechanical energy converts into electrical energy.
The steam is then cooled, condensed into the water, and returned to the boiler to start the process.
The electrical current is sent through transformers, which increase the voltage so the power can be pushed over long distances.
The electricity reaches a substation from the transmission lines, where the voltage is lowered so it can be sent on smaller power lines.
The electricity is then sent through distribution lines to your neighborhood. Smaller transformers lower the voltage again so that the power is safe to use in our homes.
The electricity connects to your house, passing through a meter which measures the amount of electricity you use.
Finally, the electricity travels through wires inside the walls to the outlets and switches in your house - ready to power your devices!