Wind Power Science Olympiad Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Solar Power?

Converts underground heat to energy.

Uses the movement of water caused by tides for energy.

Uses turbines to generate energy.

Converts sunlight to energy using photovoltaic cells. (correct)

What is Wind Power?

Generates energy using turbines. (correct)

Creates reservoirs.

Converts sunlight to energy.

Uses tides to generate energy.

What is Hydroelectric Power?

Converts sunlight to energy.

Generates energy using wind.

Converts movement of water into energy. (correct)

Uses nuclear reactions.

What is Tidal Power?

Generates low amounts of energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is Energy?

Capacity to do work. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kinetic Energy refer to?

The energy contained by an object in motion. Signup and view all the answers

What does Potential Energy depend on?

Position of an object in relation to an outside force. Signup and view all the answers

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can be created and destroyed.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does a wind turbine do?

Converts mechanical energy of wind into electricity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a generator?

A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Signup and view all the answers

The freezing point of Celsius is _____ degrees.

0 Signup and view all the answers

The boiling point of Fahrenheit is _____ degrees.

212 Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Biomass refer to?

Living and recently dead biological material used as fuel. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy Sources

Solar Power: Converts sunlight to energy using photovoltaic cells; costly and less effective in poor weather.
Wind Power: Generates energy through turbines; can be visually unappealing and less reliable in extreme heat.
Hydroelectric Power: Utilizes water movement to produce energy with turbines; can create reservoirs that may cause ecological issues.
Tidal Power: A form of hydroelectric power leveraging tidal movements; generally produces limited energy.
Geothermal Power: Extracts underground heat for energy; restricted to regions with high tectonic activity.

Energy Concepts

Energy: The capacity to perform work.
Work: Defined as the force applied to an object over a distance.
Kinetic Energy: Energy possessed by a moving object.
Potential Energy: Energy related to an object's position, particularly in relation to gravitational force.
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted into different forms.

Temperature Scales

Celsius: Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.
Fahrenheit: Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.
Kelvin: Absolute temperature scale, where freezing is at 273.15 K and boiling at 373.15 K.
Rankine: Similar to Kelvin but aligned with Fahrenheit; 0°R is absolute zero and is always 459.67 degrees higher than °F.

Electrical Concepts

Electricity: Movement of electrons; creates charge that can be harnessed for work.
Voltage: Electrical pressure that drives current, measured in volts.
Electric Current: Rate at which electric charge (electrons) moves through a circuit, measured in amperes.
Watt: Standard metric unit for power, representing energy transfer rate.
Ohm's Law: Relates voltage, current, and resistance.

Mechanics of Wind Power

Windmill: A device utilizing wind's kinetic energy for mechanical work.
Wind Turbine: Converts wind's mechanical energy to electricity.
Rotor: Composed of turbine blades and hub, essential for energy capture.
Nacelle: Enclosure at turbine's top housing generator and drivetrain components.
Gearbox: Connects low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft; increases turbine rotation speed for electricity generation.

Wind Power Components

Blade Pitch: The angle of turbine blades affecting their interaction with wind.
Anemometer: Measures wind speed, vital for turbine performance.
Controller: Activates wind turbine operations based on wind speed; ensures safety at high winds.
Brake System: Mechanically halts rotor for emergency situations.

Electrical Components in Power Plants

Generator: Converts mechanical energy from wind into electrical energy.
Resistance: Material's opposition to charge flow, affecting circuit performance.
Diode: Permits current flow in one direction, functioning as a one-way valve.

Alternative Energy and Environmental Impact

Alternative Energy: Energy sources with minimal environmental harm; includes solar, wind, and hydro.
Biofuel: Produced from recently living biological material; distinct from fossil fuels.
Biomass: Organic material used for fuel or production, encompassing plant and animal matter.

Miscellaneous Concepts

Calorie: The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C.
Conduction and Convection: Methods of heat transfer; conduction involves direct contact, while convection relies on fluid movement.
Turbine Efficiency Variables: Factors impacting turbine performance include blade length, pitch, and aerodynamics.

U.S. Electricity Generation (2014 Data)

Coal: 38.8%
Natural Gas: 27.4%
Nuclear: 19.5%
Renewables: 13.2%
Other: 1.2%

Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to various forms of energy including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Each card provides definitions and insights into the advantages and disadvantages of each energy source. Perfect for students preparing for the Science Olympiad.