Wind Turbine Reflection

Making a Wind Turbine  

Section 1: Background 

The most basic concept about this lab will be taken from the from our studied of magnetism. We know that as a magnet passes through a coil of ferromagnetic material (like copper or silver) it produces a voltage. But the way voltage is induced is by a change in the magnetic field. The wind turbine provides this change.  

Section 2: Material and Method. 

To create this we needed some pipes in order to create a base. after that we tied some copper wire together in order to create the coils of wire. We used a hollow pipe at the top of the base in order to put a cylinder with batteries on it so that it could spin freely between the coils of wire. This cylinder is attached to the rotor of the turbine so that it spins. We placed four magnets north to south opposite each other so that they could create a changing magnetic filed as the turbine spins them. Inside the base we placed two wires down and had them exit through terminals so that we could complete the circuit for the current to flow.  

Below is a picture of a turbine like my teams.

 

Example of magnets and copper wire used.                                                                                                      

Section 3: Results and Discussion.  

The biggest factor to inducing voltage is making your propellors spin fast, the faster they spin the more change in magnetic field and so more voltage. In order to do this you need big (but lightweight) propellors that also have to be curved slightly so that the wind can push it sideways instead of back. If you use more than one magnet make sure they are far enough apart or else if they are strong enough they may break out of whatever you bound them with and attach together. Also make sure your magnet (or whatever their attached to) can fit into the coils of wire because if they can't, your screwed.

Below is a video our actual turbine working. You can stop it at 0:31.