Electromagnetic Induction and Generators
Here's something brilliant: you can actually create electricity just by moving a magnet! The generator effect works by inducing a potential difference in a wire that's moving relative to a magnetic field. Move a magnet in and out of a coil, and you'll generate current - it's that simple.
Keep moving that magnet back and forth, and the current direction keeps swapping, creating alternating current (AC). This is exactly how power stations generate the electricity in your home. The induced current always tries to oppose the change that created it - nature's way of maintaining balance.
Alternators spin a coil inside a magnetic field using slip rings and brushes, producing AC current. Dynamos do something similar but use a split ring commutator to keep current flowing in one direction, creating direct current (DC). You can spot the difference on an oscilloscope - AC bounces above and below the axis whilst DC stays above it.
Real-World Connection: Microphones work like loudspeakers in reverse - sound waves move a coil in a magnetic field, generating the electrical signals that become your recorded voice!
Transformers are absolute game-changers for our power grid. They use alternating current in a primary coil to create a changing magnetic field in an iron core, which induces current in a secondary coil. Need higher voltage? Use more turns on the secondary coil (step up). Need lower voltage? Use fewer turns (step down).