What type of energy does a generator convert into electrical energy?

A generator primarily converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. This process typically involves some form of mechanical motion, such as turning a turbine, which is often powered by resources like wind, water, or steam. The mechanical motion moves conductors (such as coils of wire) within a magnetic field, inducing an electrical current due to electromagnetic induction. This is a fundamental principle of how generators operate.

While chemical energy can be converted into mechanical energy in certain systems, and thermal energy can also be indirectly involved through heat engines, the immediate transformation that a generator performs is entirely mechanical to electrical. Radiant energy, such as sunlight, can be converted to electrical energy through photovoltaic cells but is not the primary operation of a generator as defined in this context. Thus, mechanical energy is the key form of energy that drives the generator's function to produce electricity.