GC: n
CT: Hydroelectric power is produced as water passes through a dam, and into a river below. The more water that passes through a dam, the more energy is produced. Once a dam is built, an artificial man-made lake is created behind the dam.
Electricity is produced by a device called a turbine. Turbines contain metal coils surrounded by magnets. When the magnets spin over the metal coils, electricity is produced. Turbines are located inside dams. The falling water spins the magnets.
Dams provide clean, pollution free energy, but they can also harm the environment. Species that use rivers to spawn are often hurt by dams. In the Northwest, sockeye salmon and trout populations have dropped from 16 million to 2.5 million since hydroelectric plants were built on the Columbia River. Dams all over the world have hurt some species.
S: Mbgnet –http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/rivers/dams.htm (last access: 10 February 2015)
N: 1. hydroelectric (adj): 1827, formed in English from hydro- + electric. Related: Hydroelectricity.
power (n): c.1300, “ability; ability to act or do; strength, vigor, might,” especially in battle; “efficacy; control, mastery, lordship, dominion; legal power or authority; authorization; military force, an army,” from Anglo-French pouair, Old French povoir, noun use of the infinitive, “to be able,” earlier podir (9c.), from Vulgar Latin potere, from Latin potis “powerful” (see potent).
2. Hydroelectric power, or hydroelectricity, is generated by the force of falling water. (Hydro comes from the Greek word for water.) It’s one of the cleanest sources of energy, and it’s also the most reliable and costs the least.
3. How does hydroelectric power work?
Water is needed to run a hydroelectric power-generating unit. The water is held behind a dam, forming an artificial lake, or reservoir. The force of the water being released from the reservoir through the dam spins the blades of a giant turbine. The turbine is connected to the generator that makes electricity as it spins. After passing through the turbine, the water flows back into the river on the other side of the dam.
4. White coal (is) a fanciful term meaning “water power,” “hydroelectric power” or “hydropower,” from the French term “houille blanche.”
S: 1. Etymonline – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=hydroelectric+power&searchmode=none (last access: 10 February 2015). 2 & 3. TVakids – http://www.tvakids.com/electricity/hydro.htm (last access: 10 February 2015). 4. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 10 February 2015).
SYN: 1. hydroelectric energy. 2. hydroelectricity. 3. hydropower, water power.
S: 1. GDT (last access: 10 February 2015); http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/hydroelectric-energy/?ar_a=1 (last access: 10 February 2015). 2. http://www.tvakids.com/electricity/hydro.htm (last access: 10 February 2015). 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 10 February 2015).
CR: dam, hydraulic energy, hydroelectric power plant, water hammer, wind-hydro power station.
