Power stations
I can describe how burning fuels can be used to generate electricity.
Power stations
I can describe how burning fuels can be used to generate electricity.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Over half of the electricity in the UK is generated from the Sun, wind and falling water.
- Many power stations in the UK burn natural gas and oil to heat water into steam.
- The moving steam in power stations pushes turbines, which drive electric generators that produce electricity.
- Natural gas and oil are fossil fuels used in power stations; coal is no longer used in UK power stations.
- Natural gas, oil, waste and wood are fuels that produce greenhouse gases and pollutants when burned.
Keywords
Electric generator - works like a motor in reverse, generating electricity when it is pushed round
Fuel - a substance that is burned for heating
Non-renewable resource - a resource that cannot be replenished
Pollutant - a substance that causes damage to air, water or land and is likely to harm living organisms
Greenhouse gases - gases in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them
Common misconception
Power stations generate most of the electricity that we use in the UK.
Highlight how over half of UK electricity is now generated using renewable energy resources and that power stations contribute about a third of the electricity. Also highlight the continuing need for power stations due to varying weather and demand.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Power stations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Power stations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Fuels and energetics unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
reacting with oxygen and causing heating
any reaction that causes heating of the surroundings
a substance that is burned for heating
reacting with oxygen, whether causing heating or not
Exit quiz
6 Questions
like a motor in reverse, it generates electricity when pushed round
a substance that is burned for heating
a substance that can harm living organisms in the environment
gas in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without it