Investigate Green Schools

Lesson 4

Wind Energy

The 8-Step Action PlanLesson 4

Awareness

Issues

6 forms of energyA story…

The sun was out…

(Nuclear)

And shining on the earth.

(Radiant)

It was such a nice, sunny day, some people were out playing a game of

catch…

(Mechanical)

When the sun’s rays hit the people, they got hot.

(Thermal)

It wasn’t only the people enjoying the sunny day. The plants used the sun’s radiant energy

to make food for themselves.

(Chemical)

But before long, the clouds covered the sun and a thunderstorm rolled in.

(Electrical)

The End

(Electrical)

(Chemical)

(Thermal) (Mechanical)

(Radiant)

(Nuclear)

Coal ChainA review…

now try to turn it into a Wind Chain

what is wind?

wind:Wind is air in motion.

But what causes it to move?

Wind is produced by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by

energy from the sun.

how do we measure the wind?

Wind Vane Anemometer

How do we use that information?

Amount of energy produced

depends on size of the turbine

and the speed of wind

The blades of a wind turbine have the

most important job of any wind turbine component

– they must capture the wind and turn it

into usable mechanical energy.

Which Blades are Best? Activity