Windmill Energy 101

Windmill Energy 101

Learn a little more about how modern windmills work

Multiple Choice

What causes the blade on a wind turbine to spin? (Use the back buttons if you need to rewatch the video)

• equal pressure on the blade

• the wind pushes the blades downward

• uneven air pressure on either side of the blades

• electricity

Multiple Choice

What does a weather vane at the top of the wind turbine do?

• makes sure the wind turbine is facing the wind to capture the most wind energy

• turns the wind turbine sideways to the wind

• measures day light and rain

• is fixed in place, always point North

Multiple Choice

In the example from the video, how fast do the blades rotate per minute (RPM)?

• 25 (RPM)

• 18 (RPM)

• 18,000 (RPM)

Multiple Choice

The generator needs to spin at 1800 rpm but the blades don't rotate that fast. What accounts for the increase in rpms? (hint: it is located between the blades and the generator)

• copper wires and magnets

• magnets

• gears