As a high school Physics teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching about power, energy, and dynamics through the design and function of a wind turbine.
This lesson plan will help you teach various Physics concepts such as power, energy, and dynamics through the working of a wind turbine. In the context of global warming due to carbon emissions, wind power is a renewable and clean source of energy that can be harnessed as electricity by wind turbines. Thus, this lesson plan will enable the students to apply the concepts of energy, electrical energy, and power in a real-world scenario.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Physics.
| Curriculum Code (Australia) | ACSPH037: Electrical circuits enable electrical energy to be transferred efficiently over large distances and transformed into a range of other useful forms of energy including thermal and kinetic energy, and light. ACSPH039: Energy is conserved in the energy transfers and transformations that occur in an electrical circuit. ACSPH042: Power is the rate at which energy is transformed by a circuit component; power enables quantitative analysis of energy transformations in the circuit. ACSPH065: Energy is conserved in isolated systems and is transferred from one object to another when a force is applied over a distance; this causes work to be done and changes to kinetic and/or potential energy of objects. |
| Cross Curriculum Priority (Australia) | Sustainability |
| Presumed Knowledge (Australia) |
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The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
This is a lesson plan developed by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEX) and the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub (MCCCRH) with contributions by Troy Garrett (Winmalee High School); Dr Sanaa Hobeichi and Dr Ian Macadam (CLEX); Tahnee Burgess and Dr David Holmes (MCCCRH); and Dr. Roger Dargaville (Monash University). The lesson plan originated at the βClimate across the Curriculum: Educational Resources for Teachersβ workshop at the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS) conference held in February 2020 in Fremantle, Western Australia. The workshop was supported by AMOS, CLEX, MCCCRH, the Schools Weather and Air Quality (SWAQ) Citizen Science project, TROP ICSU and the University of Western Australia. A version of the lesson plan tailored for use in Australian classrooms is available.
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| Grade Level | High SchoolΒ |
| Discipline | Physics |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Power, Energy, Work, Conservation of Energy, Electrical Energy, Dynamics, Transformers, Wind Turbine |
| Climate Topic | Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Renewable and Non-renewable Energy |
| Location | Global, Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | OnlineΒ |
| Approximate Time Required | 70 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Teaching Module (20min)
Use the teaching module, β6.6: Powerβ by LibreTexts TM to bring together concepts we have learnt so far- energy, power, work, electrical energy, conservation of energy and transformers. Play the video tutorial within the text, to teach how numerical problems can be solved for computing values such as energy generated, and work done. Navigate to the next page (6.7), to read a case study on the Worldβs Energy Use. Discuss how fossil fuel-based energy generation is undesirable in the context of climate change and the need to increase the use of renewable and cleaner sources of energy such as wind energy
Video (~5.5 min)
Explain to your students that they will now apply their understanding of the different concepts learnt in physics in a real-world situation by looking at how wind turbines work and identify the physics principles behind this form of renewable energy. Ask your students what they already know about wind turbines and about how they work. Allow the students to respond with their ideas and summarize their main points on the board.
Play the video, βHow do Wind Turbines Workβ by Learn Engineering, to introduce the topic of using wind energy to generate electricity by wind turbines. Use this video to describe various aspects of wind turbines and the science involved in the electricity they produce.
Classroom Activity(2.5 min + 40 min)
Form groups and encourage your students to determine the general formula for calculating the kinetic energy of a mass of moving air. Students will need to combine density (π=ππ) with the volume of air flow (π = π΄π£), the area of a circle (π΄ = ππ2) with the kinetic energy formula(1/2ππ£2)to define the kinetic energy of a mass of air as (πΎπΈ =1/2ππ2ππ£3).
Consider a wind turbine with a span of 100 m is situated at a site, subjected to a constant 8ms-1 wind. If air density is 1.25 kgm-3, how much kinetic energy passes through the plane of the blades every second?
Solution: We can directly substitute in the formula KE=1/2Οr2Οv3, but instead we will use a different strategy
Strategy:
π΄ = ππ2
π΄ = π. 502
π΄ = 7854π2At 8ππ β1, volume through plane π = π΄π£ π =7854π2Γ 8ππ β1 π = 62,832π3π β1 With density of π=1.25πππβ3
π = ππ π = 1.25πππβ3 Γ 62,832π3π β1 π = 78,540πππ β1 Kinetic energy every second πΎπΈ =1/2ππ£2 πΎπΈ =1/2(78,540 ππ π β1) Γ82 π2π β2
πΎπΈ/π = 2.513 Γ 106π½π β1 π = 2.513 Γ 106π = 2513 ππ
Consider a wind turbine with a span of 50 m is situated at a site, subjected to a constant 12 ms-1 wind. If air density is 1.23 kgm-3,how much kinetic energy passes through the plane of the blades every second? Round your answer to 3 s.f. Solution: Kinetic Energy every second πΎπΈ/π =1/2ππ2π π£3
πΎπΈ/π =1/2π(502)(1.23) (123) (π2)(πππ3)(ππ )3 πΎπΈ/π =8,340,000 π2 ππ π β3 πΎπΈ/π = 8.34 Γ 106π½ π β1 π = 8.34 Γ 106 π = 8,340 πW
Wrap up the session with a discussion on ways other than wind energy to generate sustainable energy. Discuss their benefits and caveats in the context of climate change.
Draw attention to how this energy can be used in homes. We wish to sell this energy to households, and we need a unit of measure that makes sense to the average person. The unit used is called a kilowatt hour (kWh) and is defined as the energy delivered to a 1000 W appliance over 1 hour. Determine how much 1kWh is in terms of joules.
Solution:
π =πΈπ‘ πΈ = ππ‘ πΈ = 1000 π½π β1 Γ3600π πΈ = 3.6 Γ 106π½
What are the advantages and challenges of producing electricity from a wind turbine?
Students to research the cost of electrical energy by visiting power-company websites to get rates. Typical rates in Australia are 0.15 π΄ππ·/ππh
Students to then determine the revenue generated by this wind turbine per day (by multiplying Energy electrical with the rate they find).
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Β Video micro-lecture; βWind turbine terminology and componentsβ | A video micro-lecture provided on Coursera by the Technical University of Denmark, to explain various aspects of wind turbine technology.
This can be accessed here . |
| 2 | Classroom/Laboratory Activities; βOff the Gridβ | A series of activities for students by University of Boulder Colorado, to learn about various aspects of renewable energies and how to make
homes free from the electricity grid.
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Teaching Module; β6.6: Powerβ | By LibreTextsTM |
| 2 | Video; βHow do Wind Turbines WorkβΒ | By Learn Engineering |
| 3 | Video; βThe Physics of Wind Power: how does a wind turbine work?β | By the European Energy Centre (EEC) |
| 4 | Β Additional Resources | TeachEngineering, University of Colorado Boulder |
| Grade Level | High SchoolΒ |
| Discipline | Physics |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Power, Energy, Work, Conservation of Energy, Electrical Energy, Dynamics, Transformers, Wind Turbine |
| Climate Topic | Energy, Economics and Climate Change; Climate Mitigation and Adaptation |
| Location | Global, Australia |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | OnlineΒ |
| Approximate Time Required | 70 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
1.Topic introduction and discussion
Teaching Module (20min) Use the teaching module, β6.6: Powerβ by LibreTexts TM to bring together concepts we have learnt so far- energy, power, work, electrical energy, conservation of energy and transformers. Play the video tutorial within the text, to teach how numerical problems can be solved for computing values such as energy generated, and work done. Navigate to the next page (6.7), to read a case study on the Worldβs Energy Use. Discuss how fossil fuel-based energy generation is undesirable in the context of climate change and the need to increase the use of renewable and cleaner sources of energy such as wind energy. 2. Extend understanding
Video (~5.5 min) Explain to your students that they will now apply their understanding of the different concepts learnt in physics in a real-world situation by looking at how wind turbines work and identify the physics principles behind this form of renewable energy. Ask your students what they already know about wind turbines and about how they work. Allow the students to respond with their ideas and summarize their main points on the board. Play the video, βHow do Wind Turbines Workβ by Learn Engineering, to introduce the topic of using wind energy to generate electricity by wind turbines. Use this video to describe various aspects of wind turbines and the science involved in the electricity they produce. 3. Classroom Activity
Classroom Activity(2.5 min + 40 min) Form groups and encourage your students to determine the general formula for calculating the kinetic energy of a mass of moving air. Students will need to combine density (π=ππ) with the volume of air flow (π = π΄π£), the area of a circle (π΄ = ππ2) with the kinetic energy formula(1/2ππ£2)to define the kinetic energy of a mass of air as (πΎπΈ =1/2ππ2ππ£3). Consider a wind turbine with a span of 100 m is situated at a site, subjected to a constant 8ms-1 wind. If air density is 1.25 kgm-3
, how much kinetic energy passes through the plane of the blades every second? Solution: We can directly substitute in the formula KE=1/2Οr2Οv3, but instead we will use a different strategy Strategy: π΄ = ππ2 π΄ = π. 502 π΄ = 7854π2At 8ππ β1, volume through plane
π = π΄π£
π =7854π2Γ 8ππ β1
π = 62,832π3π β1
With density of π=1.25πππβ3 π = ππ
π = 1.25πππβ3 Γ 62,832π3π β1
π = 78,540πππ β1
Kinetic energy every second
πΎπΈ =1/2ππ£2
πΎπΈ =1/2(78,540 ππ π β1) Γ82 π2π β2 πΎπΈ/π = 2.513 Γ 106π½π β1
π = 2.513 Γ 106π = 2513 ππ Consider a wind turbine with a span of 50 m is situated at a site, subjected to a constant 12 ms-1 wind. If air density is 1.23 kgm-3,how much kinetic energy passes through the plane of the blades every second? Round your answer to 3 s.f.
Solution:
Kinetic Energy every second
πΎπΈ/π =1/2ππ2π π£3 πΎπΈ/π =1/2π(502)(1.23) (123) (π2)(πππ3)(ππ )3
πΎπΈ/π =8,340,000 π2 ππ π β3
πΎπΈ/π = 8.34 Γ 106π½ π β1
π = 8.34 Γ 106 π = 8,340 πW Wrap up the session with a discussion on ways other than wind energy to generate sustainable energy. Discuss their benefits and
caveats in the context of climate change. Draw attention to how this energy can be used in homes. We wish to sell this energy to households, and we need a unit of measure that makes sense to the average person. The unit used is called a kilowatt hour (kWh) and is defined as the energy delivered to a 1000 W appliance over 1 hour. Determine how much 1kWh is in terms of joules. Solution: π =πΈπ‘
πΈ = ππ‘
πΈ = 1000 π½π β1 Γ3600π
πΈ = 3.6 Γ 106π½ What are the advantages and challenges of producing electricity from a wind turbine? Students to research the cost of electrical energy by visiting power-company websites to get rates. Typical rates in Australia are 0.15 π΄ππ·/ππh Students to then determine the revenue generated by this wind turbine per day (by multiplying Energy electrical with the rate they find). 4. Questions/Assignments
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Β Visualization; βElectricity generation by source, World, 2018β | An interactive visualization by Our World in Data to show the relative contributions of global renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
for electricity generation.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Β Video micro-lecture; βWind turbine terminology and componentsβ | A video micro-lecture provided on Coursera by the Technical University of Denmark, to explain various aspects of wind turbine technology.
This can be accessed here . |
| 3 | Classroom/Laboratory Activities; βOff the Gridβ | A series of activities for students by University of Boulder Colorado, to learn about various aspects of renewable energies and how to make
homes free from the electricity grid.
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Teaching Module; β6.6: Powerβ | By LibreTextsTM |
| 2 | Video; βHow do Wind Turbines WorkβΒ | By Learn Engineering |
| 3 | Video; βThe Physics of Wind Power: how does a wind turbine work?β | By the European Energy Centre (EEC) |
| 4 | Β Additional Resources | Our World in Data Coursera TeachEngineering, University of Colorado Boulder |
