Solar panels are created to convert light into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials. As the sunlight hits the cells, electrons break away from their atoms. The electrons flow through their cells, which generates electricity. Solar thermal power plants uses the energy from the sun to create heat. One purpose of the lab was to determine the voltage of the light source’s distance. The other reason for the lab was to see the increase or decrease of voltages from different colors. A ruler was used to measure the distance of the light source from the solar panel. For every trial, the distance was increased by eight centimeters. The distances and voltages were plotted on a scatter graph; higher the distance indicates a lower voltage. The second part of the lab was to take color filters and place them on top of the solar panel. From the lab view, it showed the voltages for all four colors. Based on the graph, the yellow color had the highest voltage.

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power-profile/ (REFERENCE)

https://sites.suffolk.edu/sabbie17/?attachment_id=49

right click on this link and other tab will pop up. Then click on the blue (solar lab) and file will upload.

Tom Vales came to one of the classes last week  and he had some interesting facts to say about Tesla Coil and Thomas Edison. He explained most of the devices in our homes use infrared. Infrared is a heat or thermal radiation, which is produced by the movements of atoms and molecules. He later described Nikola Tesla came from Serbia and fixed a generator for Thomas Edison. However, they did not have a great friendship with each other. Tesla had over 7,000 patents for transmissions and applications of electric power. Nikola Tesla had encountered George Westinghouse because he was asked to create breaks for trains. Later on, George helped him licensed his patents for AC (alternating current) motor. Alternating current is more effective than direct current because it uses transformers to change the voltage. It is likely favored by companies because they can transmit power of high voltages over long distances. On the other hand, Thomas Edison created the direct current that are used today for solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries. It cannot send power in long distances.  Tom explained the Tesla Coil has 100,000,000 volts and it’s a wireless transmission of energy. It can light up fluorescent lights up to 50 feet away!  In my opinion, Tesla isn’t known that much as Thomas Edison since all his notes were destroyed in a fire, but his inventions helped the growth of electricity.

References:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/electricity8.htm

http://www.teslasociety.com/teslacoil.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/nikola-tesla

Before watching this movie, I was completely against nuclear power plants because I thought they were harmful and dangerous to society. After this movie, my entire perspectives of nuclear changed. Pandora’s Promise showed both views of people who were anti-nuclear and pro-nuclear. People that were anti-nuclear did not have background of science to explain why they thought nuclear wasn’t safe. The movie displays news reporters would state levels of radiation that meant nothing to folks who did not understand Iodine or units of microsieverts. People that were anti-nuclear had negative views about them because of the Three Miles Island power plant. However, pro nuclear understood nuclear was safer than coal due to the low mortality rate and how it was used to generate electricity. Gwyneth Cravens (pro nuclear) said many women’s group did not know coal killed at least 13,000 people in United States per year and  three million killed in the world per year. The movie basically stated nuclear can be used for the good of our people and it shouldn’t be banned from United States or even the world. For example, the French government used 80% of energy from nuclear and it had less fossil fuel combustion (5 tons) than Germany. Pandora’s Promise stated what happened to Chernobyl and how it was designed. Nuclear power plants in United States were not built the exact same as Chernobyl. This was what people against nuclear did not acknowledge in their protests. The entire film did the best job to describe the usage of nuclear power plants and actually considers the negative opinions about them.The negative views started because nuclear was used to create bombs, which some people today still believe. I am extremely happy I was able to watch this film because it changed what I once believed. I did not have facts to corroborate why I was against it at first. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone; it is educational and inspirational!

batterydischarge1b
The purpose of this experiment was to measure the velocity, acceleration, and potential energy of the mass. The Lego Mind storm motor was used to lift the weights by a pulley. The mass calculated in this experiment was 220 grams (.22kg). Lab view was used to change the power levels of the pulley to show the different accelerations. Newton’s 2nd Law was based on the first section of the lab. For the first three trials, the power levels had to stay the same as the masses changed.  Based on the acceleration vs mass (force) graph, the acceleration dropped as the mass increased. However, my data was incorrect due to the NXT had issues. Although, I tried a different NXT and continued to do more trials with same power levels. Then, I had kept the mass the same and changed the power level. From my acceleration vs power level (force) graph, the trend line showed the increase of acceleration.

Law of Conservation of energy was explored in the lab to calculate the height of the weights with the same power level. From the graph (battery discharge vs potential energy), the trend line decreased, but it was supposed to increase. It is very possible for the data to be different. To calculate potential energy: m*g*h. Power is calculated by potential energy/time. This activity helped me understand the relations with acceleration and mass. On excel, I have four graphs based on my data from the NXT. Clink on the link above, it brings you to another page, and then clink on the blue link. A file will come up and open the excel file.

Demand response has been important for electric system planning because it lowers the cost of electricity.  It has programs that are used by the electric system to balance supplies and demands. Time based are electricity rates paid from customers for different days, times of the day, and events. This guide companies to  cycle air conditioner and water heaters during periods of demands for lower electric bills.Demand response programs help providers to save money .The TOU (Time of Use) divides the day into blocks of hours and kilowatts prices vary between blocks. The another program from demand response is RTP (Real Time Pricing), which prices are hourly based on real time market price. Increasing the demands for electricity can cause voltage fluctuations. These programs reduce electricity demands for electric suppliers and grid operators. Demand response gives economics and environmental benefits for California. Utilities avoid building new power plants because of demand response. They want to increase the percentage of energy from renewable resources. The purpose of demand response is to expand grid modernization and development.

‘

References:

http://en.openei.org/wiki/Definition:Time-Based_Rate_Program

http://www.ecsgrid.com/demand-response-programs

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Demand+Response/

http://energy.gov/oe/technology-development/smart-grid/demand-response

On the second floor of 73 Tremont Street, the Sawyer Library is opened from Monday through Sunday 8a.m to 12a.m. Students are able to reserve group rooms up two weeks on the third and fourth floor.  The library has at least one copy of textbooks for the undergraduate and graduate classes. The Circulation Desk can help students who want to check out books. When there are not computers available, students can go to the Circulation Desk ask for  laptops to use for their school work. The third floor of the library is the best place to study without any noises. They have books on every single major like chemistry, black studies, and psychology. If a student wants to link his/her Suffolk email with another one, the I.T station is opened at 10a.m. They do it for free and it takes less than ten minutes. CLAS, which is also on the third floor,  helps students with their essays, blogs, lab reports, and math problems. 

The Reference Center at the library aids students to search for articles. Students can find articles on the databases by subject. For example, General Science can give lists of websites to find information on any topic. Google Scholar is the best way to find articles for science majors because it narrows down what you need. The Ask a  Librarian is a great way to ask for assistance online without being at the library. The Ask a Librarian can help students with MLA or APA format. Sawyer Library has everything students need. It is an awesome place to access information for anything. The people who work there are respectful and kind. Thank goodness for this library!

.