Wind Turbines: Math and Science

What percentage of global energy production is currently contributed by wind turbines?

• 2%

• 10%

• 5%

• 15%

Which type of energy transformation occurs first in the process of generating electricity with wind turbines?

• Kinetic to thermal

• Thermal to radiant

• Kinetic to electrical

• Radiant to thermal

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of wind turbines?

• Renewable energy source

• High power output per turbine

• Free wind power

• No greenhouse gas emissions

What is a major disadvantage of wind turbines in terms of location?

• They are easy to maintain

• They need open space for wind

• They require a lot of water

• They can be built in cities

What is the formula for kinetic energy used in the context of wind turbines?

• KE = mv

• KE = 1/2 mv^2

• KE = mgh

• KE = 1/2 mv^3

In the power equation for wind turbines, what does the symbol 'rho' represent?

• Velocity

• Density

• Area

• Radius

If the velocity of wind is tripled, by what factor does the power delivered by the wind increase?

• 27 times

• 3 times

• 81 times

• 9 times

What is the efficiency of a turbine if it generates 8140 watts from an input power of 40700 watts?

• 35%

• 20%

• 25%

• 30%

What is the power output of a wind turbine with 20-meter blades and an air velocity of 12 m/s, given the density of air is 1.4 kg/m³?

• 1.00 megawatts

• 0.39 megawatts

• 1.52 megawatts

• 2.00 megawatts

Why are wind turbines often built on oceans rather than in cities?

• Oceans have more space

• Cities are too noisy

• Cities have less demand for electricity

• Oceans have consistent high wind