Wind Turbine Energy Transformations

[Physics345]

Homework Statement

In point form, outline the process through which electricity is generated from a wind turbine, highlighting the energy transformations that occur. Then state an advantage for this type of electricity production that have not already been discussed in the lesson.

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

• The process starts with wind blowing which is the electric potential energy. The point of wind turbines is to capture the winds energy and convert it into energy in the form of electricity.
• While the wind blowing at a certain velocity the winds potential energy in the form of wind velocity which can be converted into kinetic energy.
• The kinetic energy from the winds velocity is converted into the turbine which begins to turn the blades in a horizontal circular motion, but it isn’t enough for just the wind turbines blades rotation to create mechanical energy, there is a shaft that connects to gears that rotate as well which creates even more rotation, which creates enough rotations per minute to convert that energy into mechanical energy (electricity). It is important to note the angle outer part of the blade adjusts according to the wind direction to allow the blades to spin relative to the wind in the most efficient matter.
• The kinetic energy is converted through a generator that produces the mechanical energy (electricity).
• The electricity current then travels through wires, which is then converted to power our cities light’s and pretty much anything requiring electricity as a form of power.
• A lot of energy is wasted in the form of thermal energy from the friction encountered during the process. (from the rotation of the gears and such)

Tell me what you guys think :)

 

[haruspex]

wind blowing which is the electric potential energy.

Moving air does not constitute electric energy, potential or otherwise.

the wind blowing at a certain velocity the winds potential energy in the form of wind velocity which can be converted into kineti

It is not potential energy either.

converted into the turbine

It may be converted by a turbine but it is surely not converted into a turbine.

which begins to turn the blades

What form of energy is that?

horizontal circular motion

Horizontal?

mechanical energy (electricity)

Electrical energy is not considered an example of mechanical energy.

 

[Physics345]

Moving air does not constitute electric energy, potential or otherwise.

It is not potential energy either.

It may be converted by a turbine but it is surely not converted into a turbine.

What form of energy is that?

Horizontal?

Electrical energy is not considered an example of mechanical energy.

• The process starts with wind blowing. The point of wind turbines is to capture the winds energy and convert it into kinetic energy.
• While the wind blowing at a certain velocity in the form of wind velocity which can be converted by the turbine, into kinetic energy when the blades rotate in a vertical circular motion.
• The kinetic energy from the wind is converted into the turbine which begins to turn the blades in a vertical circular motion (in the form of kinetic energy), but it isn’t enough for just the wind turbines blades rotation to create mechanical energy, there is a shaft that connects to gears that rotate as well which creates even more rotation, which creates enough rotations per minute to convert that energy into electricity. It is important to note the angle outer part of the blade adjusts according to the wind direction to allow the blades to spin relative to the wind in the most efficient matter.
• The kinetic energy is converted through a generator that produces electricity.
• The electricity current then travels through wires, which is then converted to power our cities light’s and pretty much anything requiring electricity as a form of power.
• A lot of energy is wasted in the form of thermal energy from the friction encountered during the process. (from the rotation of the gears and such)
Okay I made some adjustments according to your comments :), let me know what you think thanks!

 

[haruspex]

Better, certainly...

• The process starts with wind blowing. The point of wind turbines is to capture the winds energy and convert it into kinetic energy

What sort of energy was it before it was captured?

It is important to note the angle outer part of the blade adjusts according to the wind direction to allow the blades to spin relative to the wind in the most efficient matter.

This is not true, and is irrelevant to the question.

• A lot of energy is wasted in the form of thermal energy

It is? Where do you get that from?
Most of the loss comes from a theoretical limit on the fraction of wind energy that can be captured. (Betz' law, I think it is called.). But again, you do not need to mention that.

The electricity current then travels through wires,

That is also beyond what the question asks.

 

[Physics345]

Better, certainly...

What sort of energy was it before it was captured?

This is not true, and is irrelevant to the question.

It is? Where do you get that from?
Most of the loss comes from a theoretical limit on the fraction of wind energy that can be captured. (Betz' law, I think it is called.). But again, you do not need to mention that.

That is also beyond what the question asks.

Hey sorry I haven't had the chance to come reply until now, I re wrote it according to your comments again.
• The process starts with wind blowing (solar energy). The point of wind turbines is to capture the winds potential energy and convert it into kinetic energy.
• While the wind blowing at a certain velocity in the form of wind velocity which can be converted by the turbine, into kinetic energy when the blades rotate in a vertical circular motion.
• The kinetic energy from the wind is converted into the turbine which begins to turn the blades in a vertical circular motion (in the form of kinetic energy), but it isn’t enough for just the wind turbines blades rotation to create mechanical energy, there is a shaft that connects to gears that rotate as well which creates even more rotation, which creates enough rotations per minute to convert that energy into electricity.
• The kinetic energy is converted through a generator that produces electricity.
• The electricity is then converted to power our cities light’s and pretty much anything requiring electricity as a form of power.

 

[haruspex]

wind blowing (solar energy

Solar energy is the ultimate source of wind energy, but you are not asked about that. You still have not correctly identified the type of energy the wind has.

the winds potential energy

It is not that one.

converted into the turbine

As I already posted, it is not converted into a turbine. You might convert a frog into a prince but turbines are made of steel. It is converted in a turbine.
Anyway, you do not need this bullet. You already covered it in the preceding bullet.

The electricity is then converted to power our cities light’s and pretty much anything requiring electricity as a form of power.

You don't need this either. Two or three steps at the most.

 

[Physics345]

Solar energy is the ultimate source of wind energy, but you are not asked about that. You still have not correctly identified the type of energy the wind has.

It is not that one.

As I already posted, it is not converted into a turbine. You might convert a frog into a prince but turbines are made of steel. It is converted in a turbine.
Anyway, you do not need this bullet. You already covered it in the preceding bullet.

You don't need this either. Two or three steps at the most.

• The process starts with wind blowing ( The winds kinetic energy). The point of wind turbines is to capture the winds (kinetic energy) and convert it into kinetic energy that rotates the turbines in a vertical circular motion.
• The kinetic energy from the wind begins to turn the blades in a vertical circular motion (in the form of kinetic energy), but it isn’t enough for just the wind turbines blades rotation to create mechanical energy, there is a shaft that connects to gears that rotate as well which creates even more rotation, which creates enough rotations per minute to convert that energy into electricity. The kinetic energy is converted through a generator that produces electricity.

 

[haruspex]

is converted into the turbine which

Just delete that phrase and what you have will be fine.

 

[Physics345]

Just delete that phrase and what you have will be fine.

Perfect Thank you, for your help. I'm going to do more research to get a better understanding

 

[CWatters]

The question sounds very much like one from my sons physics class. In which case you might get an extra mark/max marks by mentioning some of the unwanted energy transformations that occur.

 

[Physics345]

The question sounds very much like one from my sons physics class. In which case you might get an extra mark/max marks by mentioning some of the unwanted energy transformations that occur.

When I took a look at the text I noticed something similar in the example of a question similar to this.