A prototype wind turbine drives an electric generator that delivers a constant…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · System of Particles and Rotational Motion · System of Particles and Rotational Motion
Problem
A prototype wind turbine drives an electric generator that delivers a constant electrical power output of 2.0kW while the turbine’s rotor spins steadily at 10rads−1. Assume any energy losses between the rotor and generator are negligible.
(a) Determine the magnitude of the constant torque exerted on the rotor while the turbine is operating under these steady conditions.
(b) Calculate the total electrical energy produced during a 15min time interval at the stated power level.
(c) Using your results from parts (a) and (b), find the total angular displacement executed by the rotor during the same 15min interval.
(d) Discuss whether the torque you obtained in part (a) would increase, decrease, or remain unchanged if the turbine were redesigned to operate at 20rads−1 while delivering the same 2.0kW power. Support your answer with quantitative or qualitative reasoning.