The power output of a solar cell is proportional to the sine of the angle between the incident light and the face of the solar cell.

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Jack Webdale        01/05/2007     Page

Proving the lens formula

Hypothesis

The power output of a solar cell is proportional to the sine of the angle between the incident light and the face of the solar cell.

Apparatus

I will use the following equipment during me experiment.


A Solar Cell – A device used to convert light (photons) into Electric (Voltaic) that can be used to power circuits.
A Metre Rule – Will be used to measure the distance between the light source and the solar cell. Will maintain the distance as accurately as possible. It has millimetre units, although large and hard to take a precise measurement in mm.
Two Digital MultiMeters –
 These will serve the purpose of an Ammeter and Voltmeter. Using the different settings they can be used to give 2.d.p readings.
A Resistance Box –
 A device used to serve as a fixed resister, but can serve as many sizes. For this experiment I will set it to 5ohms.
A Light source (Mains Voltage) –
small Lamp, 40-watt bulb. Used to emit light to give energy to the solar cell
A Protractor –
Used to measure the angle being used for each reading when turning the Solar cell.
Connecting Wires – used to complete the circuit and connect the components.

Most of the apparatus I will use are self-explanatory. I am satisfied that the experiment will be conducted as accurately as possible, although I can see it will be difficult to keep the solar cell at the wanted angle to a degree. The protractor I am using is small, and so I plan to draw on A4 blank paper, a 90-degree section of the protractor, and extend the lines on 10-degree intervals. This will make it a lot easier in rotating the cell and ensuring that the angle being used is as close as possible to the wanted angle using these apparatus. I can also see that at the ‘blackout’ angle, It is likely I will still get a reading, be it from other light sources in the room, or from reflection of the light source being used; this could be from the surface underneath, myself standing nearby or any other objects. I will attempt to minimize this problem by completely shutting out as much as possible any other light entering the room. The doors will be shut, any objects nearby that are not needed will be removed.

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Prediction

I would choose to predict that proportionality exists between the sine of the angle and the power output. It would be sensible to think that the larger the angle, the larger the power output. And that at 90 degrees, or when the cell is perpendicular to the light source, the output will be greatest, and hence when the cell is parallel, no output will be given at all (in the ideal situation). However, my task is to prove that it works.  By turning the Solar cell away from the direct light source, the surface area affected is decreased. Solar ...

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