How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Provided by: TED-Ed|Published on: May 23, 2022
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: Rebecca J. Barthelmie, Sara C. Pryor
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video explains how wind turbines work and the current challenges and benefits of producing wind power.
- Students will learn about the primary factors that determine how much energy wind turbines can produce, including the size and orientation of the blades, the blade's design, and the amount of wind that will turn the rotor.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video and accompanying resources are a great introduction to wind power and how wind turbines work.
- The quiz and additional links provide opportunities for teachers and students to dive deeper into this topic.
Additional Prerequisites
- For students to participate in the quiz in the Think section, they must enter their names (their responses are shared with TEDEd). This is only allowed for students who are 13 years of age or older.
Differentiation
- The Dig Deeper section includes additional resources and links, including a comic book that can be downloaded in 33 languages, information about the science of wind energy, and 360-degree videos.
- The Discuss section offers a guided discussion question that could be used for a small group or whole-class discussion.
- Related resources include this e-book on renewable energy sources and these videos and articles about jobs in the wind power industry.
Wind energy is a renewable energy source with a lot of potential. This TEDEd video breaks it down and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
