Electrical Generation Summarized for Dummies

Basic electrical generator

Over the couple of decades, we've heard a great deal about STEM – science, technology, engineering, and math – and the realization that America's students have fallen behind their competition elsewhere in the world (yes, we mean China). A little time spent browsing the world of online freelancers has convinced many of our staffers that the situation is dire, indeed. For proof, we need only refer you to the work of psychology graduate Jacquelyn Jeanty, found attempting to explain "How Is Electricity Made?" for Sciencing.com.

We knew we were in trouble from the get-go, when Jeanty introduced her topic by gushing that,

"Electricity is one of our most well-used gifts from nature. Learning how to manipulate and use this natural element has dramatically changed our everyday lifestyles in countless ways."

We guess you could call electricity a "[gift] from nature," but we strenuously object to calling the force an "element." We didn't expect a whole lot out of Jacquelyn after that introduction, and our nominee definitely met our lowered expectations. Check out some of her explanation of electrical generation...

• "Natural metals such as aluminum, copper, silver and gold are materials that naturally conduct electrical current when the right mechanisms are in place." – First, metals conduct electricity regardless of the "mechanisms"; and second, we know of no "unnatural" metals. Does Jeanty know something we don't?
• "Electricity happens when the electrons that surround an atom's nucleus are stimulated. The electrons are made of energy, so any agitation applied causes this energy to disperse." – "Agitation"? Is she serious?
• "In order for electricity to flow, a current has to be created and maintained. This is done using a generator device." – Do tell, Jacquelyn. Really: tell us about these "generator devices"...
• "Once a current of energy, or electricity, is conducted, devices called transformers are responsible for directing the flow so that it can be put to some form of use." – No, Jacquelyn, transformers don't direct the flow of energy...

• "The generator mechanism then acts as a magnetic force that stimulates the electron currents to run along the wiring." – Ummm, kinda. But how does it work?
• "Machines called turbines, made up of a large wire encased by a magnetic housing, are forced to spin by the kinetic energy generated by steam." – "Large wire"? "Magnetic housing"?

We stopped reading there because, frankly, it was making our heads hurt. We will, however, point out that Jeanty (and her content editor – shame on that person!) need to learn that the plural of nucleus is not "nucleuses," it's nuclei; and that "phenomena" is a plural noun. The singular is phenomenon.

All of which goes to show that our Dumbass of the Day knows jack about electricity and is a little weak on grammar, too.

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