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Energy WordsWatts, volts, Btu - all those energy words can be pretty confusing. Here are some definitions that might help you understand.
Professor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) invented the first electric battery. WattWatts, or wattage, is how electric use is measured - the amount of power a device consumes. Wattage is equal to the amperage multiplied by the voltage (amps X volts = watts). James Watt, an engineer from Scotland who lived during the 1800s, figured out this term.
InsulatorAn insulator is a material that slows or stops the flow of electricity. The special gloves and sleeves that utility workers wear are made of rubber, which is a good insulator to protect them from electric shock. Renewable energyRenewable energy comes from environmentally-friendly resources that are naturally replaced by Mother Nature. Unlike coal, which is gone forever once we use it, renewable energy like wind, water or solar power will never run out.
Hydroelectric power"Hydro" is Latin for "water," so hydroelectric power is made using the flow of water in a river. When the river flows over a dam, the force of the water spins big fan blades inside the dam. Those fan blades, or turbines, turn the magnet inside the generator to create electricity. Geothermal energy"Geo" is Latin for "earth," and "thermal" means heat. About four feet down into the ground, the earth stays the same temperature all year long - about 55 degrees. Geothermal energy means we take that heat from the ground and use it to keep our homes, schools and other buildings warm. Some power companies are using geothermal energy to make electricity.
rule Want to learn more?If you didn’t find the meaning of an energy word here, visit this Web page: Energy Glossary by the U.S. Energy Information Administration Rule Links for teachers and parents:U.S. Energy Information Administration More resources for teachers and parents
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