Energy from Thin Air?

This diagram shows the transfer of energy that occurs when electricity is produced by a wind turbine and used to charge the batteries of an electric car.

Subject: Science
Topics: Physical Science (Energy)
Grades: 7 - 12
Concepts:
- Energy
- Potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Efficiency
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knows that energy can have many forms and be converted from one form to another.
- Can explain how the principle of conservation of energy applies in real world scenarios involving energy transfer.
- Knows that the conversion of energy from one form to another generally involves the dispersion of some of that energy as heat.

Download Activity: Energy from Thin Air? (PDF)

Science & Technology Movie:

Wind FarmingThe Wind Business

It can take years to plan and engineer these state-of-the-art wind farms. It’s a problem-solving process that draws on an understanding of algebra, geometry, kinetic energy, electronics and just about everything in between in order to turn one of our most abundant natural resources into a viable business.
Running time 5:55 minutes.

Watch the Movie