Solar Cell
Solar Cell Practical Report 2011
Aim: To find the amount of power generated from a solar cell with a light bulb by using a multimeter.
Hypothesis: The further you move the solar cell away from the light bulb the less power will be produced.
Backup statement: I can support my hypothesis through my own given knowledge on power and electricity. I can comprehend the facts that, if the Light Bulb was generating a large amount of heat and light, the solar panel would be absorbing a majority of this energy if it were to be extremely close to the light bulb. Yet if the solar panel was to be drawn away, it would slowly lose that energy due to the distance of the panel.
Variables:
-Dependant: Power output
-Independent: Distance of solar cell
-Consistent Variables: the electricity of the light bulb, solar cell, voltage, amps
Materials:
• Ruler
• Multimeter
• Solar panel (cell)
• Light bulb
• Pencil/pen
• Paper
• Alligator clips
Method:
1. Set up the equipment by plugging in the Light Bulb and attaching the Solar Panel to the Multimeter with the Alligator clips and the wires.
2. Begin by using a ruler to measure out the required distances for the practical
3. Switch on your multimeter and turn the switch clockwise until you reach 10 volts
4. Switch the light bulb on and start recording your measurements by measuring the amount of volts being produced by the Light Bulb.
5. Repeat this step, yet switch the multimeter to amps and re record your results, noting down the amount of amps being produced by the light bulb at each distance.
6. For further investigations, use a piece of paper for further results into the practical. This can be conducted by repeating the above steps with a sheet o paper 1 cm away from the solar panel.
7. Once finished, input your results into Microsoft Excel for your analysis of the results.
Method Evaluation
The method that was used in the practical proved to be simple yet effective. I
Aim: To find the amount of power generated from a solar cell with a light bulb by using a multimeter.
Hypothesis: The further you move the solar cell away from the light bulb the less power will be produced.
Backup statement: I can support my hypothesis through my own given knowledge on power and electricity. I can comprehend the facts that, if the Light Bulb was generating a large amount of heat and light, the solar panel would be absorbing a majority of this energy if it were to be extremely close to the light bulb. Yet if the solar panel was to be drawn away, it would slowly lose that energy due to the distance of the panel.
Variables:
-Dependant: Power output
-Independent: Distance of solar cell
-Consistent Variables: the electricity of the light bulb, solar cell, voltage, amps
Materials:
• Ruler
• Multimeter
• Solar panel (cell)
• Light bulb
• Pencil/pen
• Paper
• Alligator clips
Method:
1. Set up the equipment by plugging in the Light Bulb and attaching the Solar Panel to the Multimeter with the Alligator clips and the wires.
2. Begin by using a ruler to measure out the required distances for the practical
3. Switch on your multimeter and turn the switch clockwise until you reach 10 volts
4. Switch the light bulb on and start recording your measurements by measuring the amount of volts being produced by the Light Bulb.
5. Repeat this step, yet switch the multimeter to amps and re record your results, noting down the amount of amps being produced by the light bulb at each distance.
6. For further investigations, use a piece of paper for further results into the practical. This can be conducted by repeating the above steps with a sheet o paper 1 cm away from the solar panel.
7. Once finished, input your results into Microsoft Excel for your analysis of the results.
Method Evaluation
The method that was used in the practical proved to be simple yet effective. I