Core Science Physics GCSE ISA Wind Turbines
Hypothesis
‘The output voltage from a wind turbine depends on the
number of blades on the turbine.’
Equipment
- Electric motor
- Voltmeter
- Haridryer
- Leads
- Cork
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Clamp stand
Method
Connect up the voltmeter to the motor. For this experiment
the motor is going to act as a generator. Attach the motor to the cork so that
when the cork turns, the motor turns. Begin by adding 2 blades (made by cutting
out the cardboard) onto the cork. Turn on the hairdryer to blow the turbine
around. Record the voltage reading from the voltmeter. Now increase the number
of turbine blades to 3 and repeat the process. Continue in this way until you
have voltage readings for up to 8 blades. Record all your result in a table.
Variables
Independent Variable : Number of turbine blades
Dependent Variable : Voltage produced by generator (as read
off the voltmeter)
Control Variables: Size of blades (make sure each blade is
cut to exactly the same size), angle of blades (make sure each blade is
attached to the cork at exactly the same angle) and speed of air from hairdryer
(keep the same hairdryer at the same setting the same distance from the turbine
throughout the experiment).
Risk Assessment
This experiment is a very safe one. Risks include burns from
the hairdryer. This is a low risk but can be minimised by using the hairdryer
on a cool setting and turning it off in between tests. Also, there is a risk of
injury from being hit by the rotating turbine. This is also a low risk but can
be minimised by using cardboard to make the blades.