---
title: "Turbine — AP Environmental Science Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "A turbine converts the kinetic energy of moving fluid (wind, water, steam) into mechanical energy that spins a generator. It's the engine behind almost every power plant in APES Unit 6."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-enviro/key-terms/turbine"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Environmental Science"
---

# Turbine — AP Environmental Science Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

A turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of a moving fluid (such as water, steam, or wind) into mechanical energy. It consists of blades or vanes that are rotated by the fluid flow, which in turn drives a generator to produce electricity.

## Related Study Guides

- [6.12 Wind Energy](/ap-enviro/unit-6/wind-energy/study-guide/gNBzJpm1K0wINCGx9cM6)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Generator](/ap-enviro/key-terms/generator): A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It works in conjunction with turbines to produce electricity.
- [Kinetic Energy](/ap-enviro/key-terms/kinetic-energy): The energy possessed by an object due to its motion. In the case of turbines, it is the kinetic energy of flowing fluids that is converted into mechanical energy.
- Renewable Energy: Energy derived from sources that can be naturally replenished over time, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric power generated by turbines.