In this lab we used a magnet generated flashlight, LabView software, and physical number of shakes of the flashlight to measure the voltage increase among shakes. The premise and basis for this experiment is Faraday’s Law where the move the magnet in the flashlight is moved back and forth between the wire coils, electrical currents are generated which coincides with the law of induction. The cut through the line of fluxuation is the current and in this we are looking for the change in B over the change in T.
Experimental Process:
1. Measure the flashlight voltage with no shaking for 30 seconds
2. Start to shake flashlight slowly for another 30 seconds
3. Faster than before (30 s)
4. Faster again (30 s)
5. Finally as fast as you can possibly shake the flashlight (30 s)
Pay attention to the voltage difference in each trial and record it into the Excel spreadsheet. After you gather the voltage data you need to find the sum of squares of the voltages (v to the second power). Sum of squares is the mathematical approach to find the dispersion of data points in a regression. Here we wanted to find the dispersion of voltage points at each shake level. The sum of squares helps to find the function that varies the least from the data and that is why we chose to graph those data points.
After conducting this I saw that the more energy exerted in the shaking and the higher the number of shakes, the more voltage that was generated. In the below link you will see a breakdown of the numerical data, as well as a chart to depict the sum of squares at each shake level.
I didn’t take part in this experiment, but from reading this blog i completely understand what you did. The excel sheet gives me a better understanding of your measurements. It was easy to follow and I like the picture of the flashlight that you used in the experiment.
I really enjoyed your post. I thought your perspective was really interesting and fun to read!
This blog is has a clearly organized process followed by any experimental errors we experienced while performing this lab. It is important keep these in mind during the process so they can be avoided for the next experimenter. For someone who has never performed this lab, it is nice to reference back to the errors that follow the “how-to” of the experiment. The small diagram explaining how the generator is working is a nice addition for someone not so science friendly.
I enjoyed how this post was written as instructions to do the project because if an outsider reading this imagines themselves actually doing the experiment along with the dialogue, I find it is easier to comprehend. The description of the magnetic flashlight we used was good, but it was certainly enhanced by the image. The short conclusion offered was a great way for someone to understand exactly what happens during the experiment and what results should be expected.