Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines are pretty cool. The wind turns their wings which turns into mechanical energy that in turn turns into electrical energy. When the flaps turn, the simple generator inside turns the mechanical energy into eletrical energy. The simple generator is made up of alternating magnets that create a magnetic field. When they are moved because of the wind, it shifts the magnetic field over copper coils. Change in the magnetic field induces voltage that is sent through the copper wires to create electric energy.

Materials:

2 pvc pipes
2 wooden poles
cardboard
2 wooden circular objects
copper wire
small magnets
tape
glue


First we cut the cardboard into ceiling fan shaped flaps. Then we cut one of the poles into 3 equally lengthed rods. We cut one end of each rod in half and Then glued the cardboard flaps at an angle onto each rod. Thn we drilled each rode into the same wooden circle with screws. We then drilled a hole into the wooden circle that would perfectly fit the other rod that is the shaft.  Then we attached the pvc pipe to a connector of sorts after we had cut the pvc pipe to size. We used the cardboard to carve out two circlular pieces that would fit on both sides of the connector that forms the head of the wind turbine. Then we took 4 magnets and glued them opposite eachother on the sides of the other wooden circle. We drilled a hole in the middle of this circle to also match the shaft. We inserted this circle on the other side of the shaft opposite the side where the wings were glued.  Now we had to make the coil. We used pvc pipe to form the ideal size of the coil. We wrapped the copper wire around the pvc pipe over and over until we formed a thick coil. We placed the coil in the throat of the pvc pipe where it connects to the head. We ran the coil  wire down the pipe and wrapped the wire around the pvc pipe so that it would stay. Then we took the shaft and ran it through the connector head and fit the two circular cardboard peices on the end and used tape to seal it. The magnets were situated right over the coil. We put the wind turbine up to the fan and it produced as much as 1.9 voltage!


Good tips:
Alternate the polarity of your magnets so that they may induce a current
Wrap your coil as much as possible so that more current may be induced
The more you wrap it the thicker the coil and the more voltage you will have.
Try to keep the magnets from sticking together when you glue them to one of the circles (we had a little trouble with that)
Make sure to keep in mind that your coil must have two wires that stick out on both ends so that they can be attached to clamps that will measure the voltage produced.

 Yayyy! Go Physics and Wind Turbining Making!!!