Final answer:
Wind turbines convert mechanical energy to electrical energy by utilizing wind to rotate blades, which spin a shaft with magnets inside a generator, inducing an electric current in a coil through electromagnetic induction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which a wind turbine converts mechanical energy to electrical energy starts with the kinetic energy in the wind. As wind pushes against the turbine blades, they begin to rotate. This rotation turns a shaft that is connected to the blades, and this shaft is attached to magnets inside a generator. The rotating magnets move around a conductive coil within the generator, creating a magnetic field that changes over time. This changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the coil through a process known as electromagnetic induction. The electricity produced is then typically conditioned with various power electronic devices and fed into the electrical grid.
In summary, the kinetic energy of wind is transformed into rotational mechanical energy by the turbine and then converted into electrical energy by the generator. This method is analogous to other forms of mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion, such as hydropower and steam turbines, with the underlying principles remaining consistent across different energy sources.