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Take a PACKET from the top shelf of your module.
You will complete a series of experiments below.
Follow the directions within each step and record in your packet.
You will measure their electrical output using a digital multi-meter that is in the drawer at your module.
Step 1- Start the Activity
A multimeter is a tool used to measure different aspects of electricity. It has two leads or wires that have an "alligator clip" on the end. One probe is black and is the negative side, the other is red, and is the positive side. Make sure that they are plugged in firmly. Turn the selector switch to the setting for voltage marked "V" and set it to "20".
-Step 2: 9V Experiment
Find the 9 volt battery in the drawer and touch the multi-meter probes to the battery. Begin by putting the red lead on the positive (+) part of the battery, and the black lead on the negative (-) part.
(If you have it reversed, the reading on your multi-meter will be negative.)
A brand new 9 volt battery should measure 9.00 V.
Show your reading to your teacher and ANSWER in your packet...
What was your reading?
What does the reading tell you about the battery?
STEP 3-
Watch this instructional video before you work with the solar panels!
-Step 3:
You will now test the voltage output of the solar panels using the lamp at your module, and the sunlight coming in through the skylight outside the classroom.
Use the alligator clips to connect the multimeter probes to the leads on the solar panels, matching red to red and black to black.
If you don't know what alligator clips are, look it up!
See black multimeter lead connected to the black wire on solar panel "A" and red multimeter lead connected to the red wire on solar panel "A"
Take measurements for solar panel A and record your result in your worksheet packet.
Then connect the red lead from panel A to the black lead of panel B with the yellow jumper cable.
You also need to move the red lead from the multimeter to the red wire of solar panel "B". This makes a complete circuit that electricity can flow through.
This will also combine the voltage of those two panels. Your reading for solar panels "A + B" should be more than your reading for panel "A" by itself!
See how the red wire from solar panel "A" is connected to the black wire from solar panel "B" with the white jumper cable? Electricity always flows from negative (BLACK) to positive (RED).
Continue hooking up panels until you have all panels connected in a series. To do this you will need 3 white jumper cables connecting the solar panels.
Record your findings on the Activity 2 worksheet sheet below.
-You will now test the large solar panel on the board, Panel E.
Using both the lamp and the sun for your tests, continue to record your data on the Activity 2 worksheet.
-Step 4:
Locate the hand crank generator from your teacher. It will look like this -------->
(Be very careful not to break the hand crank. Do not unscrew the crank handle. If you break it or lose a piece to it, you may have to replace it.)
Connect alligator clips between its two leads (red & black) and the multimeter.
-Test the generator by turning the crank. The light bulb should illuminate.
At three different speeds: ONE turn per second, TWO turns per second, and finally, THREE turns per second
Fill in your results in the worksheet.
Hint: You will need to watch the multimeter as you are cranking and look for the average voltage reading. (It will vary quite a bit!)
Be ready to explain...
What was your reading?
What do these readings tell you about using a generator?
Would you rather have solar power or count on a generator?
-Step 5:
Locate the Blue crank generator in your module drawer. -<-----It will look like this
Connect the leads of the fan to the generator.(Be gentle with the leads)
Black wire to BLACK Clip
Black wire with WHITE LINE to Red Clip
See if you can get the fan to move by generating power with the crank generator. SHOW YOUR TEACHER!
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