Line graph titled Rotor Diameters of Newly Installed Wind Turbines in the United States, 2011–2021. The horizontal axis is labeled Year. It ranges from 2011 to 2021 in increments of 1. The vertical axis is labeled Percent of newly installed turbines. It ranges from 0 to 90 in increments of 10.
The following 4 lines are shown:
- Greater than 130 meters
- Less than 100 meters
- 100–115 meters
- 115–130 meters
The greater than 130 meters line:
- Begins at 2011, 0%
- Remains level to 2012, 0%
- Remains level to 2013, 0%
- Remains level to 2014, 0%
- Remains level to 2015, 0%
- Remains level to 2016, 0%
- Remains level to 2017, 0%
- Rises gradually to 2018, 3%
- Rises sharply to 2019, 15%
- Rises gradually to 2020, 17%
- Rises gradually to 2021, 23%
The less than 100 meters line:
- Begins at 2011, 78%
- Falls sharply to 2012, 53%
- Falls sharply to 2013, 26%
- Falls gradually to 2014, 20%
- Falls gradually to 2015, 14%
- Falls sharply to 2016, 3%
- Falls gradually to 2017, 1%
- Remains level to 2018, 1%
- Falls gradually to 2019, 0%
- Remains level to 2020, 0%
- Remains level to 2021, 0%
The 100–115 meters line:
- Begins at 2011, 22%
- Rises sharply to 2012, 47%
- Rises sharply to 2013, 74%
- Rises gradually to 2014, 80%
- Falls gradually to 2015, 79%
- Falls gradually to 2016, 70%
- Falls gradually to 2017, 60%
- Falls sharply to 2018, 43%
- Falls sharply to 2019, 16%
- Falls gradually to 2020, 9%
- Rises gradually to 2021, 11%
The 115–130 meters line:
- Begins at 2011, 0%
- Remains level to 2012, 0%
- Remains level to 2013, 0%
- Rises gradually to 2014, 1%
- Rises gradually to 2015, 7%
- Rises sharply to 2016, 27%
- Rises sharply to 2017, 39%
- Rises sharply to 2018, 53%
- Rises sharply to 2019, 69%
- Rises gradually to 2020, 74%
- Falls gradually to 2021, 66%\[\small{0}\]
\[\small{10}\]
\[\small{20}\]
\[\small{30}\]
\[\small{40}\]
\[\small{50}\]
\[\small{60}\]
\[\small{70}\]
\[\small{80}\]
\[\small{90}\]
All other things being equal, the larger a wind turbine’s rotor diameter (the diameter of the imaginary circle swept by the turbine’s rotating blades), the greater amount of energy the turbine can generate. In a research paper on wind power, a student claims that in the United States, the amount of energy generated per newly installed turbine increased substantially between 2011 and 2021.
Which choice best describes data in the graph that support the student’s claim?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) In 2011, nearly 80% of turbines installed had rotor diameters of less than 100 meters, whereas only a little more than 20% of turbines installed that year had rotor diameters of 100–115 meters.
A
In 2011, nearly 80% of turbines installed had rotor diameters of less than 100 meters, whereas only a little more than 20% of turbines installed that year had rotor diameters of 100–115 meters.
(Choice B) No turbines installed in 2011 had rotor diameters greater than 115 meters, whereas the majority of turbines installed in 2021 had rotor diameters greater than 130 meters.
B
No turbines installed in 2011 had rotor diameters greater than 115 meters, whereas the majority of turbines installed in 2021 had rotor diameters greater than 130 meters.
(Choice C) Most turbines installed in 2011 had rotor diameters of less than 100 meters, whereas most turbines installed in 2021 had rotor diameters of at least 115 meters.
C
Most turbines installed in 2011 had rotor diameters of less than 100 meters, whereas most turbines installed in 2021 had rotor diameters of at least 115 meters.
(Choice D) The percentage of newly installed turbines with rotor diameters greater than 130 meters increased every year between 2011 and 2021.
D
The percentage of newly installed turbines with rotor diameters greater than 130 meters increased every year between 2011 and 2021.
The best choice that supports the student's claim that the amount of energy generated per newly installed turbine increased substantially between 2011 and 2021 is:
**(Choice C)** Most turbines installed in 2011 had rotor diameters of less than 100 meters, whereas most turbines installed in 2021 had rotor diameters of at least 115 meters.
This choice indicates a shift toward larger rotor diameters in newly installed turbines over the specified period, which correlates with the increased energy generation capability the student describes.