WIND POWER (V 4.0)

Build a realistic wind turbine to harness power out of thin air. Wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today. Wind energy has been used for centuries to pump water and crush grain in windmills, and is increasingly being used to generate electricity to power our modern world. Assemble a wind turbine complete with electric generator and adjustable rotor blades. The blades are designed with complex aerodynamic curves to look and work like modern-day wind turbine blades. Conduct experiments with your wind turbine, including experiments to optimize its performance by adjusting the angle of the blades. Use the wind turbine to light up an LED and charge a rechargeable battery. Convert the wind turbine into an electric fan by using the electric generator as a motor. Build three additional models with the parts included. During the experiments, you will learn the physics of force and motion as it applies to wind power technology. Learn how to measure and calculate the different forces acting on the rotor blades by breaking them down into vectors. Discover how the sun makes the wind, providing us with an endless source of energy. Read about different types of wind turbines and windmills, and how wind energy can be used to power homes and electric cars. The full-color, 32-page manual offers illustrated instructions and scientific information.