The Physics of Windmill Design

This video was created in partnership with Bill Gates, inspired by his new book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster.” Find out more here: https://gatesnot.es/3u7UUVU This video is about how physics dictates the design of modern windmills - why they are so big, have so few blades, and have such skinny blades. REFERENCES H. Glauert: Aerodynamic Theory, 1935 Division L (Airplane Propellers), Chapter XI: Windmills and Fans Wind power extraction fundamentals https://home.uni-leipzig.de/energy/en... Betz's Law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betz%27... Tip Speed Ratio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip-spe... Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines Book https://www.amazon.com/Aerodynamics-W... Penn State Wind Turbine Aerodynamics Lesson https://www.e-education.psu.edu/aersp... Wind Power Physics youtube video    • Wind Power Physics   Why do Wind Turbines Have Three Blades?   / why-do-wind-turbines-usually-have-3-blades   Wind Power Fundamentals http://web.mit.edu/windenergy/windwee... Wind Power Explained https://www.calcunation.com/blogs.php... Drag Coefficient http://dx.doi.org/10.1615/AtoZ.d.drag... Reynolds Number and Drag http://www2.eng.cam.ac.uk/~mpj1001/le... Reynolds Number https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynold... Viscosity of Air https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosi... Support MinutePhysics on Patreon!   / minutephysics   Link to Patreon Supporters: http://www.minutephysics.com/supporters/ MinutePhysics is on twitter - @minutephysics And facebook -   / minutephysics   Minute Physics provides an energetic and entertaining view of old and new problems in physics -- all in a minute! Created by Henry Reich