What is hydroelectric energy and how does it work?
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK|Issue 65
Find out how electricity is generated from flowing water.
What is hydroelectric energy and how does it work?

If you’ve ever seen a river rushing down a mountain or played in breaking waves at the beach, you’ll know that moving water contains a lot of energy. A river can push you and your kayak downstream, sometimes very quickly, and waves crashing into you at the beach can knock you back, or even knock you over.

Energy in flowing water

The energy in these moving waters comes from gravity. Water travels around Earth in a water cycle (see below). Water evaporates (turns into a gas) from the surface or is released from plants (transpiration). When the released water vapour is carried up to higher altitudes – such as mountainous regions – it cools down and condenses into liquid cloud droplets. When these cloud droplets become big enough, they fall from the sky as precipitation, either as a liquid rain or – if it is cold enough – as a solid snow.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 65 من The Week Junior Science+Nature UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 65 من The Week Junior Science+Nature UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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Camera Obscura
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Camera Obscura

Imagine stepping inside a dark room, where the only source of light comes through one small hole in the wall.

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1 min  |
Issue 80
MANCHESTER SCIENCE FESTIVAL
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

MANCHESTER SCIENCE FESTIVAL

From 18-27 October, shoppers at the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester, England, will face a giant spider.

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1 min  |
Issue 80
Should musicians stop touring?
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Should musicians stop touring?

Multiple concerts travelling around the world have a big impact on the environment.

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3 mins  |
Issue 80
Are ghosts real?
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Are ghosts real?

Plenty of people believe in ghosts, but it's hard to find proof.

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2 mins  |
Issue 80
SMASH STEREOTYPES
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

SMASH STEREOTYPES

In an extract from his prize-winning book, scientist and writer Adam Rutherford shows you how to use the power of science to fight racism. This chapter, titled Myth-Busting, is all about sport.

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6 mins  |
Issue 80
Animal awareness
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Animal awareness

What would it feel like to be another animal?

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3 mins  |
Issue 80
Hamza Yassin
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Hamza Yassin

Go behind the camera with a wildlife filmmaker.

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3 mins  |
Issue 80
WILDLIFE WATCH
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

WILDLIFE WATCH

Ben Hoare goes on a safari from his sofa to discover how nature documentaries are made.

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4 mins  |
Issue 80
Big bum breakthrough
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Big bum breakthrough

A team of researchers who found out that mammals can breathe through their bottoms have won a prize at the lg Nobel awards.

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1 min  |
Issue 80
A jaw-dropping undersea snap
The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

A jaw-dropping undersea snap

A photograph of a Bryde's whale feeding on a heart-shaped \"bait ball\" of sardines has won the Ocean Photographer of the Year contest.

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1 min  |
Issue 80