Final answer:
Hydropower, steam from burning fossil fuels, and wind power are sources of motion used for generating electricity. These sources work by rotating a shaft connected to a generator, converting mechanical motion into electrical energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some possible sources of motion that can be harnessed for a generator include falling water, known as hydropower, steam created by the burning of fossil fuels, and the kinetic energy of wind power. These sources generate mechanical energy to turn the coil inside a generator. A typical example of this is a steam turbine, where steam passes over turbine blades connected to a shaft; this shaft then rotates the coil within the generator. Wave power and tidal energy are other forms that are being developed, which convert the mechanical energy in ocean waves and tides into electrical power. Similarly, the back-and-forth motion of a piston or a flexing joint could also be configured to generate electricity.