Chapter: Activity: Interpreting Information

Sources of To familiarise with the conventional sources of energy.

Energy
 Physics Assessment Class: 10

Name:
Roll No.:

Maximum Marks: 10 Sources of Energy

Marks Obtained: Activity: Interpreting Information

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

A windmill is a machine that is powered by the wind to produce

energy. It converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical
energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally,
windmills were developed for grinding wheat. Later they were
used for industrial purposes as well. An important non-milling
use is to pump water, either for land drainage or to extract
groundwater with wind pumps. Windmills used for generating
electricity are commonly known as wind turbines.

A wind turbine comprises blades, frame, shaft, generator and tail.

The blades gather wind that flows over them. They are
connected to a drive shaft that is connected to an electric
generator. As the wind blows and blades rotate, it turns the drive
shaft, i.e. turbine and creates electricity. The electricity thus
generated is sent through wires and used for the desired
purposes.

The frame holds the turbine together. The tail keeps the first
contact parts of a wind turbine, such as the turbine blades, at the optimal angle to the wind.

Wind is a reasonably priced, low maintenance, energy production method. Therefore, it is one
of the suitable resources for generating electricity and carrying out other works.

Questions 1 and 2 carry 3 marks each and questions 3 and 4 carry 2 marks each.

1(a). It is possible to generate electricity using a windmill. Name some other sources of electricity.

(b). Write one use of windmill (i) in the past (ii) in the present.

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(c). What is the minimum speed of the wind required for a windmill to produce electricity.

2. Fill in the blanks.

a. Wind energy is a source of energy. (renewable/non-renewable)

b. Wind possesses energy. (potential/kinetic)
c. Proper functioning of windmills requires the wind speed to be . (high/low)

3. How does a windmill generate electricity?

4. Windmills generate electricity and so does thermal power plants. Both differ in their methods
and have their own advantages and disadvantages. According to you, which of the two is
commercially more advantageous? Give reasons.

Learning Outcome

I am able to familiarise myself with the conventional sources of energy.

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 Physics Facilitators Copy Class: 10

Sources of Energy
Maximum Marks: 10 Marks Activity: Interpreting Information

1. Allot one mark for each correct answer.

a. Fossil fuels, flowing water
b. In the past, wind energy was used for purposes like grinding wheat.
At present, wind energy is mainly used to generate electricity.
c. 15 km/h.

2. Allot one mark for each correct answer.

a. renewable
b. kinetic
c. high

3. Allot two marks for the correct answer.

Windmills have blades to gather wind that flows over it. The blades are connected to a drive
shaft that is connected to an electric generator. As the wind blows and blades rotate, it turns the
drive shaft, i.e. turbine and creates electricity. The electricity thus generated is sent through
wires and used for the desired purposes.

4. Allot two marks for the correct answer.

Generation of electricity by thermal power plants is definitely commercially more advantageous.
This is due to the fact that windmills, until and unless they are large enough, cannot generate
electricity of substantial magnitude. On the other hand, the magnitude of electricity generated
by thermal power plants is high, and thus, more suited on a commercial scale. Moreover,
windmills work only when the wind is adequate whereas there is no such limitation in case of
thermal power plants.

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