Experimental Design
Materials:
.285 m x .205 m Uni-Solar Solar Panel Lamp Stand
10 mL Beaker Mercer 9301 Voltmeter
50 mL Beaker Morton Iodized Salt (150 mL)
(2) Alligator Clips Quikrete Premium Play Sand (150 mL)
Cen-Tech Thermometer Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Soil (200 mL)
Glass Plate Sprayco SuperMist
Kirkland Signature Plastic Food Wrap Utilitech 1100 Lumen Bulb
Procedure:
Preparing the Experiment
1. Dry the lawn soil before using it in the experiment. Put 200 mL of dirt on an oven-safe pan and bake it in the oven for 90 minutes at 375 °F. When the soil is dry, crumble the dirt chunks into smaller chunks by applying pressure and rolling a handful of dirt across the palms of hands. Then sift through the dirt with fingers and throw away any rocks, twigs, or chunks of dirt that are greater than 0.002 m.
2. Move to the MMSTC locker room or another dark room. Attach the wires of the solar panel to the voltmeter using alligator clips and position the solar panel so that the 0.285 m side is touching the bottom of the lamp stand (Figure 2) and so that it can be moved to be perpendicular to the light source and removed to put dust on it and clean it (Solar Panel Maintenance). Keep the light source 0.41 m above the solar panel. The voltmeter should be measuring at the 20 volt DC level.
Process of Randomization
3. To randomize the debris type used for each trial, use the randomization function of a TI-nSpire Calculator. Assign a number for each debris type, and continue the randomization process until each number comes up 30 times.
Applying the Lawn Soil Quantities
4. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
5. Spread 5 mL of dirt over the solar panel. Move the dirt so that every panel cell iscovered and allow it to settle for 30 seconds. The lights may be on for this.
6. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
7. Clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial voltage. (Pickerel)
8. Repeat steps four to seven every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
Applying the Sand Quantities
9. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
10. Spread 5 mL of sand over the solar panel. Move the sand so that every panel cell is covered and allow it to settle for 30 seconds. The lights may be on for this.
11. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
12. Clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial Voltage. (Pickerel)
13. Repeat steps nine to twelve every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
Applying the Salt Solution
14. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
15. Cut out a 0.285 m by 0.205 m piece of saran wrap and place it on a glass plate. Measure out 5 mL of salt using the 10 mL beaker and distribute it evenly over the saran wrap. Use the Spray Mist to mist water on the salt so that all the salt granules have absorbed some water. The overhead lights may be on for this. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
16. Place the glass plate with the saran wrap, salt, and water in the microwave. Heat the solution for 10 seconds, then open the door and wait for 5 seconds before heating the solution for another 10 seconds. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
17. Move the saran wrap and salt solution from the microwave to the solar panel and spread the saran wrap out evenly on the solar panel. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
18. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
19. Clean the saran wrap using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Record the voltage. Take the saran wrap off of the solar panel and clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial voltage. (Pickerel)
20. Repeat steps fifteen to nineteen every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
21. A total of 90 trials should be conducted, 30 for each debris type; dirt, sand, and salt.
Diagram:
.285 m x .205 m Uni-Solar Solar Panel Lamp Stand
10 mL Beaker Mercer 9301 Voltmeter
50 mL Beaker Morton Iodized Salt (150 mL)
(2) Alligator Clips Quikrete Premium Play Sand (150 mL)
Cen-Tech Thermometer Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Soil (200 mL)
Glass Plate Sprayco SuperMist
Kirkland Signature Plastic Food Wrap Utilitech 1100 Lumen Bulb
Procedure:
Preparing the Experiment
1. Dry the lawn soil before using it in the experiment. Put 200 mL of dirt on an oven-safe pan and bake it in the oven for 90 minutes at 375 °F. When the soil is dry, crumble the dirt chunks into smaller chunks by applying pressure and rolling a handful of dirt across the palms of hands. Then sift through the dirt with fingers and throw away any rocks, twigs, or chunks of dirt that are greater than 0.002 m.
2. Move to the MMSTC locker room or another dark room. Attach the wires of the solar panel to the voltmeter using alligator clips and position the solar panel so that the 0.285 m side is touching the bottom of the lamp stand (Figure 2) and so that it can be moved to be perpendicular to the light source and removed to put dust on it and clean it (Solar Panel Maintenance). Keep the light source 0.41 m above the solar panel. The voltmeter should be measuring at the 20 volt DC level.
Process of Randomization
3. To randomize the debris type used for each trial, use the randomization function of a TI-nSpire Calculator. Assign a number for each debris type, and continue the randomization process until each number comes up 30 times.
Applying the Lawn Soil Quantities
4. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
5. Spread 5 mL of dirt over the solar panel. Move the dirt so that every panel cell iscovered and allow it to settle for 30 seconds. The lights may be on for this.
6. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
7. Clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial voltage. (Pickerel)
8. Repeat steps four to seven every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
Applying the Sand Quantities
9. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
10. Spread 5 mL of sand over the solar panel. Move the sand so that every panel cell is covered and allow it to settle for 30 seconds. The lights may be on for this.
11. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
12. Clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial Voltage. (Pickerel)
13. Repeat steps nine to twelve every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
Applying the Salt Solution
14. Measure the initial temperature of the solar panel using the thermometer by placing it on the solar panel and holding the central button for 3 seconds. This value does not have to be recorded. Turn the overhead lights off and the lamp on. Record the initial voltage produced by the solar panel using the voltmeter.
15. Cut out a 0.285 m by 0.205 m piece of saran wrap and place it on a glass plate. Measure out 5 mL of salt using the 10 mL beaker and distribute it evenly over the saran wrap. Use the Spray Mist to mist water on the salt so that all the salt granules have absorbed some water. The overhead lights may be on for this. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
16. Place the glass plate with the saran wrap, salt, and water in the microwave. Heat the solution for 10 seconds, then open the door and wait for 5 seconds before heating the solution for another 10 seconds. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
17. Move the saran wrap and salt solution from the microwave to the solar panel and spread the saran wrap out evenly on the solar panel. (Anderson/ Sulaiman)
18. Turn the lights off and the lamp on. Make sure the solar panel is perpendicular to the lamp and check the temperature of the solar panel to make sure it has not exceeded a 3 °F change from the initial temperature. If it has, give the panel enough time to cool down so that it is within 3 °F of the initial temperature reading. Record the final voltage produced using the voltmeter.
19. Clean the saran wrap using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Record the voltage. Take the saran wrap off of the solar panel and clean the solar panel off using tap water and towels to wipe it down and dry it. Repeat this step until the solar panel has a voltage output similar to its initial voltage. (Pickerel)
20. Repeat steps fifteen to nineteen every time the assigned number comes up during the randomization process for a total of 30 trials.
21. A total of 90 trials should be conducted, 30 for each debris type; dirt, sand, and salt.
Diagram:
Figure 1. Materials
Figure 1, above, is a labeled picture of all the materials used in the experiment. The oven and microwave are not shown.
Figure 1, above, is a labeled picture of all the materials used in the experiment. The oven and microwave are not shown.
Figure 2. Initial Experimental Setup
Figure 2, above, shows the lamp stand and light source at a 90° angle to one of the solar panels and the 0.285 m side of the solar panel is touching the bottom of the lamp stand. The voltmeter is on and attached to the solar panel using alligator clips. The voltage is being measured using the voltmeter at the 20 volt DC level.
Figure 2, above, shows the lamp stand and light source at a 90° angle to one of the solar panels and the 0.285 m side of the solar panel is touching the bottom of the lamp stand. The voltmeter is on and attached to the solar panel using alligator clips. The voltage is being measured using the voltmeter at the 20 volt DC level.
Figure 3. Final Experimental Setup
Figure 3, above, shows the lamp stand and light source at a 90° angle to one of the solar panels with a sand trial on it. The voltage is being measured using the voltmeter at the 20 volt DC level. The change in voltage from figure 2 to figure 3 is 0.9 volts.
Figure 3, above, shows the lamp stand and light source at a 90° angle to one of the solar panels with a sand trial on it. The voltage is being measured using the voltmeter at the 20 volt DC level. The change in voltage from figure 2 to figure 3 is 0.9 volts.