Environmental Science: Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar Worksheet

Question 1

What makes wind and solar energy renewable energy sources?

Accepted Answer

Wind and solar energy are renewable because wind keeps moving in the atmosphere and the Sun continues to shine each day. People can use these sources again and again without using them up.

Question 2

A solar panel changes sunlight into electricity. Name one place where solar panels could be useful and explain why.

Accepted Answer

Solar panels could be useful on the roof of a school because the roof can receive sunlight during the day. The electricity could help power lights, computers, or other school equipment.

Question 3

A wind turbine uses moving air to spin its blades. What energy change happens in a wind turbine?

Accepted Answer

A wind turbine changes the energy of moving air into mechanical energy as the blades spin. The turbine then changes that motion into electrical energy.

Question 4

List two benefits of using solar energy instead of burning coal for electricity.

Accepted Answer

Solar energy does not produce smoke or air pollution while making electricity. It also uses sunlight, which is a renewable resource, instead of coal, which can run out.

Question 5

List two challenges of using wind energy.

Accepted Answer

One challenge of wind energy is that turbines make less electricity when the wind is weak. Another challenge is that wind turbines need open spaces where there is enough wind.

Question 6

Look at this data: Monday was sunny, Tuesday was cloudy, and Wednesday was sunny with light clouds. On which day would solar panels probably make the most electricity? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

Solar panels would probably make the most electricity on Monday because it was sunny. More sunlight usually helps solar panels produce more electricity.

Question 7

A town is deciding between building solar panels in a sunny field or wind turbines in a valley with very little wind. Which choice is better for making electricity? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The sunny field with solar panels is the better choice because solar panels need sunlight to make electricity. Wind turbines would not work well in a valley with very little wind.

Question 8

Explain why wind and solar energy can help reduce pollution.

Accepted Answer

Wind and solar energy can help reduce pollution because they make electricity without burning fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas. Burning fewer fossil fuels means less smoke and fewer harmful gases enter the air.

Question 9

A house uses solar panels during the day. Why might the house still need electricity from the power grid at night?

Accepted Answer

The house might still need electricity from the power grid at night because solar panels do not make electricity when there is no sunlight. A battery could store extra electricity, but not every house has one.

Question 10

Match each energy source to what it needs most: solar energy, wind energy. Write one sentence for each.

Accepted Answer

Solar energy needs sunlight because solar panels use light from the Sun to make electricity. Wind energy needs moving air because wind turbines use wind to spin their blades.

Question 11

A wind farm has 4 turbines. Each turbine can power about 250 homes when the wind is strong. About how many homes can the wind farm power when all 4 turbines are working well?

Accepted Answer

The wind farm can power about 1,000 homes because 4 times 250 equals 1,000.

Question 12

A small solar panel makes 6 units of electricity each sunny hour. If it gets 5 sunny hours in one day, how many units of electricity does it make?

Accepted Answer

The solar panel makes 30 units of electricity because 6 times 5 equals 30.

Question 13

Study the chart: Solar panels work best in bright sunlight. Wind turbines work best in steady, strong wind. A coastal area has steady wind most days. A desert area has bright sunlight most days. Which energy source fits each area best?

Accepted Answer

Wind turbines fit the coastal area best because it has steady wind most days. Solar panels fit the desert area best because it has bright sunlight most days.

Question 14

Why do engineers sometimes combine wind energy and solar energy in the same community?

Accepted Answer

Engineers sometimes combine wind and solar energy because each source works best in different conditions. Solar panels can make more electricity on sunny days, and wind turbines can make electricity when it is windy, including some nights.

Question 15

Draw or describe an energy plan for a park that uses both wind and solar power. Include where you would place the equipment and what it could power.

Accepted Answer

A good plan could place solar panels on the roof of a picnic shelter and a small wind turbine in an open field away from trees. The energy could power pathway lights, a water fountain pump, or charging stations.

Environmental Science: Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

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