A generator transforms which type of energy into which other type of energy?

A generator operates by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. This process typically involves a rotating component, such as a turbine, that is driven by some source of mechanical energy—be it wind, water flow, or steam produced from burning fuel. As the turbine spins, it drives a generator rotor within a magnetic field, which induces an electric current through electromagnetic induction.

This is a fundamental principle of generators. While there are other forms of energy transformation mentioned in the other options, they do not correctly represent the function of a generator. For example, thermal energy conversion is more relevant to engines rather than generators; chemical energy usually involves processes like combustion or respiration; and the transformation between kinetic and potential energy pertains more to physical systems like pendulums or rollers on an incline, rather than the core function of a generator itself. Thus, the correct pairing of mechanical energy to electrical energy accurately reflects how generators operate.