Computer

33

Wind Power

Power from the wind has become an increasingly popular option for electricity generation. Unlike
traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, and gas that contribute large quantities of carbon
dioxide to the atmosphere, wind power relies on a non-polluting, renewable, ever-present
resourcethe wind. In recent years, the cost of harnessing energy from the wind has become more
affordable making it a viable alternative for many communities.

al

ua
tio

co

py

A wind turbine generally consists of a two- or three-bladed propeller made of aluminum or

fiberglass mounted on the top of a tall tower. It converts energy from the mechanical energy of
moving air to electrical energy by means of a generator. The wind causes the shaft of the turbine to
spin which in turn causes a generator to produce electricity.

Ev

In this experiment, you will measure the power output of a wind turbine, investigate the
relationship between power output and wind speed, and determine the relationship between power
output and rotor shape.
You will use a small motor as a generator and a pinwheel as the turbine. The power output of the
pinwheel can be determined by measuring the current and voltage produced by the motor. Power is
determined using the relationship

Earth Science with Vernier

P=VI
Power = voltage x current

33 - 1

Computer 33

OBJECTIVES
In this experiment, you will

Use a Current Probe to measure current output.

Use a Voltage Probe to measure voltage output.
Calculate power output.
Determine the relationship between power output and wind speed.
Determine the relationship between power output and rotor shape.

MATERIALS
computer
Vernier computer interface
Logger Pro
Voltage Probe
Current Probe
ring stand
utility clamp
3-speed fan
pinwheel templates of each shape
modeling clay

5 cm piece of drinking straw

scissors
1-hole punch
propeller shaft adapter
3 wire leads with alligator clips
1 resistor
metric ruler
1.5 V DC motor
plastic tubing clamps (optional)

Figure 1

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. In Part I of this experiment, you will increase the wind speed while keeping the rotor diameter
constant. What effect do you think this will have on the power output of your wind turbine?
2. In Part II of this experiment, you will change the shape of your rotor while keeping the wind
speed constant. What effect do you think this will have on the power output of your wind
turbine?

33 - 2

Earth Science with Vernier

Wind Power

PROCEDURE
Part I Effect of Wind Speed
1. Cut out the square pinwheel design by cutting along all of the lines on the template. Cut out the
hole in the center of the pinwheel and on the end of each of the blades using the 1-hole punch.
Push the straw through the center of the pinwheel. Carefully bring each of the blades in toward
the center of the pinwheel and thread the straw through each of the blades. Be careful not to tear
the paper. Place a bit of clay on the end of the straw to keep the blades from spinning off the
straw. Put a piece of tape or a plastic tubing clamp on the straw behind the pinwheel to keep the
paper from sliding.
2. Measure the diameter of the pinwheel at its widest point and record it in the data table.
3. Put the propeller shaft adapter on the shaft of the motor. Insert the propeller shaft adapter into
the end of the straw. You may wish to use a plastic tubing clamp to secure the straw to the
shaft. Secure the motor to the ring stand using a utility
clamp as shown in Figure 1.
-

4. Connect the Current Probe to Channel 1 and the Voltage

Probe to Channel 2 of the Vernier computer interface.
5. Connect the motor, 1 resistor, wires, and clips as shown
in Figure 2. Take care that the red lead from the motor and
the red terminal of the Current Probe are connected
6. Prepare the computer for data collection by opening the
file 33 Wind Power in the Earth Science with Vernier
folder.
7. Since the direction of spin of the pinwheel depends on its
design, you will need to check to see that both the current
and voltage readings are positive.

I
Black
(-)

Red
(+)

Figure 2

a. Blow on the pinwheel.

b. Look at the live readouts and note whether either reading is negative or zero.
c. If the current reading is negative, disconnect the alligator clips from the wires on the motor
and switch them.
d. If the voltage reading is negative or zero, unclip the voltage probe clips and switch them.
8. Click
. A dialog box will appear. Click
to zero both sensors. This sets the zero
for both probes with no current flowing and with no voltage applied.
9. Place the pinwheel about 15 cm in front of the fan. Turn on the fan to the high setting. Wait for
60 seconds until the fan reaches a constant velocity.
10. Click

to begin data collection.

11. When data collection is complete turn the fan to the medium setting. Click anywhere on the
Current graph. Select the Statistics button, , then click
to display a Statistics box for
the Current Probe data. The mean current value is displayed in the statistics box on the graph.
Record the mean current value in the data table.

Earth Science with Vernier

33 - 3

Computer 33
12. Click anywhere on the Voltage graph to select it and click on the Statistics button, . Click
to display a Statistics box for the Voltage Probe data. Record the mean voltage value in
the data table.
13. Repeat Steps 9 12 with the fan on the medium setting and then again on the low setting. Be
careful not to change the location of the pinwheel or fan between trials.
Part II Effect of Rotor Shape
14. Cut out two of the rectangular pinwheel designs. Fold along the dotted lines and punch out the
center holes. Put both pinwheel cutouts on the straw shaft and position them perpendicular to
each other. Measure the diameter of the pinwheel and record it in the data table.
15. Place the pinwheel in front of the fan. Turn on the fan to the high setting. Wait for 60 seconds
until the fan reaches a constant velocity.
16. Click

to begin data collection.

17. When data collection is complete click anywhere on the Current graph to select it. Click on the
Statistics button, , then click
to display a Statistics box for the Current Probe data.
Record the mean current value in the data table.
18. Click anywhere on the Voltage graph to select it and click on the Statistics button, . Click
to display a Statistics box for the Voltage Probe data. Record the mean voltage value in
the data table.
19. Repeat Steps 15 18 with the fan on the medium setting and then again on the low setting. Be
careful not to change the location of the pinwheel or fan between trials.

DATA
Square Design

Rectangular Design

Rotor Diameter (cm)

Current
(A)

Voltage
(V)

Power
(W)

Current
(A)

Voltage
(V)

Power
(W)

Low Speed
Medium Speed
High Speed

PROCESSING THE DATA

1. In the space provided in the data table, multiply current and voltage to determine the power
output of the turbine.
2. What is the relationship between power output and wind speed in Part 1?

33 - 4

Earth Science with Vernier

Wind Power
3. What is the relationship between power output and rotor shape?

4. What are some characteristics of an ideal location to build a wind farm, a grouping of many
wind turbines? What make these characteristics ideal?

5. What are some advantages of using wind power over power from traditional means such as
fossil fuels? What are some disadvantages?

EXTENSIONS
1. Compare the power output of rotors made from materials of different stiffnesses.
2. Investigate the effect of rotor shape on power output of other rotor shapes of the same diameter
as the ones in this experiment.
3. Investigate the relationship between rotor diameter and power output.
4. Use an anemometer to measure the wind speed in each of the trials in Part 1. Determine the
mathematical relationship between wind speed and power output.

Earth Science with Vernier

33 - 5

Vernier Lab Safety Instructions Disclaimer

THIS IS AN EVALUATION COPY OF THE VERNIER STUDENT LAB.

This copy does not include:

z

Safety information

Essential instructor background information

Directions for preparing solutions

Important tips for successfully doing these labs

The complete Earth Science with Vernier lab manual includes 33 labs, 6 projects, and
essential teacher information. The full lab book is available for purchase at:
http://www.vernier.com/cmat/esv.html

Vernier Software & Technology

13979 S.W. Millikan Way Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free (888) 837-6437 (503) 277-2299 FAX (503) 277-2440
info@vernier.com www.vernier.com