This experiment was done to understand the relationship between the distance and wavelengths of light (distance of the flashlight) and the voltage output of the cell.
The first thing we did was found the effect that the distance had on the voltage output. We were able to do this by altering the distance of the flashlight from the solar cell. We started at 0 CM, and we continued to move the flashlight away by 2cm each trial. We were able to find that the closer the cell was the higher the voltage output.
Next, we measures the effect that wavelengths had on the voltage output. We did this by placing different colored films on the solar cell and carried out the same experiment. We found that the pink filter was the one that resulted in the highest out put and the red filter was the lowest.
We learned how to use lego Mindstorm and had to carry out the task of measuring and calculating the distance the the wheel travelled. After finding the circumference of the wheel, when used a ruler that was placed near the robot to measure the stance the the wheel traveled. Once we collected this data, we compared it to what the program projected. The experiment was run three times at different power levels and for different times. Once we completed all the trials we found the margin of error and we were able to use what we observed to compare it to what was projected from the program that we used
Pandora’s Promise covers the topic of Nuclear energy. It tackles the question of whether or not Nuclear Energy is a safe alternative energy source and it focuses on where nuclear technology is headed in the future.
The film focuses on disasters such as Chernobyl, Fukushima Daiichi and the Three Mile Island accident to highlight the catastrophic events associated with Nuclear Energy. It also, emphasizes that all three of theses events, although significant, were made worst because of a lack of governance, safety precautions and proper training.
Something very interesting that I learned from the film was that unlike common belief, disasters like Chernobyl are often over dramatized by the media. The film uses stats from a UN report to show how that less than 50 people died in the disaster, yet it is comment misconception that millions were killed.
Another thing that I took away from the film is that Nuclear energy can be safe if the proper measures are put in place. Chernobyl, Fukushima and the Three Mile Island were all results of mistakes by those in charge and because of a lack of safety measures. That said, even though Nuclear Energy can be safe, it is inevitable that a mistake will occur at some point and in my opinion the risks outweigh the benefits. When something goes wrong at a Nuclear energy plant, it goes very wrong and unlike other forms of renewable energy, its consequences are disastrous and put millions at risk.
The Tepco Fukushima Daiicho nuclear accident occurred on 11 March, 2011. The disaster was the result of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that was followed by a tsunami.
The disaster highlighted a number of holes in the safety standards and emergency procedures . The parties involved at Tepco failed to develop the most basic safety requirements – such as assessing the probability of damage, preparing for containing collateral damage from such a disaster, and developing evacuation plans for the public in the case of a serious radiation release.
On top to the obvious flaws in the safety standards, the disaster also shed light on a lack of knowledge, training and proper equipment inspection. Had there been specific instructions given to the workers during a state of emergency within a reasonable time, the accident could have been contained more effectively (There were complete sections in the instruction manual that were missing)
In the period immediately following the disaster, the chain of command at Tepco was disrupted by the prime ministers office and this caused a great deal of confusion. Also, the government failed to inform people about the severity of the accident.
The many failures led and insufficient evacuation measures led to many in the affected area receiving unnecessary radiation exposure. Other residents were forced to leave their homes
The first geothermal power plant was built in 1969, today Iceland is home to seven of them. Initially, Icelanders used the energy for simple tasks such as cleaning and bathing and it wasn’t until the start of the 20th century that Icelanders started to use geothermal energy in different ways.
Today, Iceland is a pioneer in the geothermal energy sector and it accounts for 25% of the country’s total energy production. It has transformed itself into the world leader in geothermal heating.
There is no national grid in Iceland, instead the energy is produced by simply drilling a hole in the ground near one of the 600 natural springs. The steam released is then used to turn the turbines and pump water to nearby settlements.
Geothermal water is used to heat about 90% of the homes in Iceland and the hot springs have become a tourist attraction that generate millions in revenue for the Icelandic government annually
When he took office in 2009, Obama unveiled an extensive plan to reduce green house gas emissions by 17% by 2020. The plan also guaranteed loans for fossil fuel, wind and solar projects. by creating a plan.
Obama suggested that the government needs to do a better job at controlling the carbon emissions. As a result, the Carbon levels fell lower than they have ever been in 2012. Obama’s;’s aim was to reduce the carbon pollution in america by at least 3 billions metric tons by 2030 through the use of efficiency standards set for appliances.
The plan also aims at sparking innovation across a wide range of technologies, which will result in cleaner forms of US made energy and a reduction in the cost of energy which will benefit millions of American families in the long-run.
Apart from inspiring innovation and reducing carbon emissions, the Action plan also prepares the United States for the impacts of climate change.
Finally, the plan aims to lead global efforts to address and tackle climate change. It creates international initiatives and strengthens the global planning and response capacities when dealing with climate related issues.
This exhibition focused on wind turbines and the elements necessary for optimal performance. When installing a wind turbine you must take in consideration the wind strength and power. The exhibit also showcased which of the museum’s turbines were running and also how much energy was being produced by each of the active ones.
Conserve at Home
This exhibition focused on conserving energy at home. The exhibition had a section named “Whats Watt” which allowed victors to view and compare the energy levels of household electronics/appliances. Another part of the exhibit focused on preserving heat and alternative ways to keep heat from leaving your household. I found this especially interesting because I was able to walk away with a few tips that will help me reduce my electrical bill once the weather begins to drop in Boston.
Energized
The final exhibition focused on the energy that we need in our every day lives and on how we can use alternative energy sources because coal, oil and gas will eventually run out. The exhibit shed light on wind, solar, water and other sources of self-replenishing energy and other ways to save and consume clean energy.
Robert Sterling invited the sterling engine in 1816. It uses the Sterling Cycle, which is different is from the cycles found in internal-combustion engines. Inside the engine, there are no exhaust valves, no explosions taking place and no gasses leaving. The cycle can be powered by any source of heat, from gasoline to coal to decaying plants. Currently, sterling engines are a rarity but scientist are working on developing a mass-market use for the engine.
If you have a cylinder with gas inside and you compress it (decrease the volume of its space), the temperature of that gas will increase. Also, if you have the same amount of gas and you raise the temperature instead of compressing it, its pressure will increase. These concepts are crucial when explaining how the sterling engine works. There are 4 parts to the cycle:
Heat is added to the gas inside the left cylinder (heated), which causes pressure to build and the piston to push down.
Both pistons work in sync so while the left piston moves down, the left piston moves up which pushes the gas into a right cylinder (cooled). When the gas is cooled, its pressure is lowered which makes it easier to compress.
The piston in the right cylinder compresses the gas and generates heat, which is removed by whatever cooling source there is.
As the left piston moves down, the right piston moves up. Which pushes the gas into the left cylinder (heated) where it builds pressure and this is when the cycle repeats.
The Peltier effect
Discovered by French physicist Jean-Charles Athanase Peltier, it is an effect whereby heat is emitted or absorbed when an electric current passes across a junction between the two materials. In other words, the Peltier effect is a temperature difference that is created by Appling electricity between two electrode that are connected to a sample of semiconductor material which is used to transfer heat.
In the device, the electrodes are made of metal and the semiconductor material creates two junctions between different materials, which, creates a pair of thermocouple voltage which is applies to the electrodes to force electricity through the semiconductor. In general, the devices are used for thermoelectric cooling in electronics and computers
Tesla is a car brand of the future. The brand currently has two models , the flagship Model S and the newly revealed Model X. Both are all electric, both are fast and both are very expensive.
The key difference between a Tesla and a hybrid is that it is all electric and has to be charged, whereas a hybrid like a Prius does not because it runs partly on gasoline.
How it Works
A typical electric motor generates electricity from its magnetic field and winding currents, which are then used to generate force within the motor. The Tesla motor is similar.
The engine consists of two parts, the rotor and the stator and the only points of contact in the motor are the bearings. Each Tesla vehicle has a 3 phase alternating AC motor. The electronics and motor sit on both sides of a single-speed gearbox. Which can take the Tesla up to 130 mph in a single gear.
How to Charge it?
There are a number of ways to charge a Tesla. The company offers a high power wall charger as an option.
This device connects to the back of the car and is able to charge the battery twice as fast as a regular 120-volt outlet could.
Tesla also has plans to install “supercharging” stations all across the United States. These stations will allow drivers to charge their cars in under an hour. Quite Impressive! So far, several stations have already been built and are fully functioning.
Electricity Generation is the process of generating electric power from other sources of primary energy
Coal
The coal is grounded into powder which is then blown into a boiler where it is burned. The burning turns its chemical energy into heat energy. Gases are then separated and the burning coal heats water pipes which are coiled around a boiler, which produce steam. Pressure is then used to drive this steam over the blades of a turbine which then spins, creating mechanical energy. Then, the steam is cooled and turned back into water so it can be used again. Lastly, a transformer changes the electricity to a high voltage, which can be used by the national grid.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas can be extracted a number of ways. “Blind Extraction” is one method, it is the extraction of liquids and hydrocarbons from the subsurface. The other method is Well Drilling, which is the process of extracting from the subsurface using operating wells
Nuclear
Nuclear power is a very complex method of generating electricity and there is a lot of risk involved in the process but new technology is making nuclear power less risky. Nuclear power uses nuclear reactions to create nuclear energy, which then creates heat. That heat is then transferred to steam turbine which is connected to an electric generator. There, the heat is turned into electricity.
This experiment was done to understand the relationship between the distance and wavelengths of light (distance of the flashlight) and the voltage output of the cell.
