Energy and its uses
Fundamentals of science. Energy transfer systems UNIT 1 Task 1.3 Types of energy Measurement of energy Examples of energy transfer Dewi Hanks ND Forensic Science Year 1 Table of Contents Contents......................................................................... Page 2 Introduction..................................................................... Page 3 Energy Terminology........................................................... Page 4 - 7 Energy Interconversions....................................................... Page 8 - 15 Risk assessment Burning Peanut............................................. Page 16 Burning Peanut experiment................................................... Page 17 - 19 Risk assessment heating metal block....................................... Page 20 Heating of metal block experiment.......................................... Page 21 - 24 Conclusions..................................................................... Page 25 INTRODUCTION In this report I intend to explain the fundamentals of energy and its Interconversions. In order to do this I will be covering the following topics: Types of energy Measurement of energy Examples of energy transfer I will also include two experiments with their results and in order to show the equations and computations used to show energy transfer amounts and the efficiency of
Solar cells
Solar cells This case study involves researching about solar cells and study the effect internal resistance has on its efficiency. This ties up with our practical investigation where we investigate the internal resistance of a power supply. Sunlight can be converted into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells also known as solar cells. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of materials called semiconductors such as silicon. When light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material1. The energy absorbed by the semiconductor from the light knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely thus making an electric current. Unlike on Earth, there is no atmosphere in space blocking sun light so there is a good supply of sun light energy if positioned correctly, but the disadvantage is that the longer they stay exposed to extreme high temperature the more likely for them to get damaged. Temperature also has a major impact on the internal resistance of the solar cell. This could be detrimental to the space program being undertaken. In this case study, I aim to investigate the internal resistance of a power supply and link the results to a power supply in space i.e. a solar cell. By studying the relationship between external load on current and voltage, the internal resistance of a power supply can be determined. Knowledge gained can be
Theories of the Universe
Theories of the Universe There are many theories on the topic of 'everything', but as physicists are simple folk they can only settle for one simple answer. Just one. Most theoretical physicists have believed that, ultimately, there must be just one possible universe, the physical manifestation of a set of laws so compelling that no other option would be viable. One universe. One theory. One defining way. It was a lovely idea, but increasingly it seems a fantasy. In recent years, theory and experiment are leading to the conclusion that, far from being the only option, our universe may be just one among an almost infinite array of possible worlds. It may be that ours is simply one member of a vast cosmological swarm. Several paths seem to be leading in this direction. The most notable is string theory, which is the leading contender for a so-called theory of everything. Many physicists are convinced that some version of string theory will prove to be the final description of all physical reality, unification under one mathematical umbrella of matter, force, space and time. As the name so charmingly implies, string theory proposes that, at its core, the universe is composed of minute strings. To get a sense of what this means, imagine a subatomic particle as a tiny point; now further imagine that, as you look closer, this point turns out to be a tiny closed loop, not a
Particle accelerators are used to study matter and energy.
ACCELERATORS Introduction Particle accelerators are used to study matter and energy. They accelerate charged particles through an electric field in an evacuated tube. The particles collide into a target or another particle. The collision point is in a detector, which records how the particles collide. All accelerators use a strong magnetic field to move particles. They all have the same three main parts: * A source of particles or ions * A tube pumped to a vacuum * A way of speeding up the particles. The three main types are: * cyclotron (spiral) * synchrotron (circular) * linear (linac) Cyclotron A cyclotron is a resonance accelerator. It has of two large dipole magnets which produce a semi-circular region of magnetic field. An oscillating voltage is applied to produce an electric field across the gap between the 2 semicircles. Particles are injected into the magnetic field region. They go in a semicircular path until they reach the gap. Then the electric field in the gap accelerates the particles. The particles have higher energy so follow a semicircular path with larger radius. The electric field frequency must be just right to accelerate the particles. Synchrotron A synchrotron is a circular accelerator which has 'electromagnetic resonant cavities' placed at regular intervals around a ring to accelerate the particles. Particles pass through each
Electron microscopes.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY This is the act of using electron microscopes. Electron Microscopes are scientific instruments that use a beam of highly energetic electrons to examine objects on a very fine scale. Electron microscopes can be used to view the topography (surface), the morphology (the shape and size of the particles making up the object) and also the composition (elements and compounds the object is composed of and how many: in case of cell organelles). Electron microscopes were introduced or developed due to the limitation of light microscopes. This is because the resolving power of a microscope depends on the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation used; because the light microscope uses only the visible part (light) of the electromagnetic spectrum whose shortest wavelength is 400 nanometre (violet light), therefore objects smaller than half of the wavelength (200nm) cannot be viewed using a light microscope. E.g. cell organelle ribosome is 20nm and can never be seen using a light microscope. As electron microscopes uses electrons, which are negatively charged and beams of electrons have a very short wavelength. This type of microscope has a very high magnification and resolution power. They are two major types of electron microscopes the first type originally developed: The Transmission Electron Microscope, which is quite similar to the light electron microscope
Comparing the Light and Electron Microscope
Comparing the Light and Electron Microscope In this essay I am going to be comparing the light and electron microscope, I will look at the advantages and disadvantages of each microscope and then analyse my findings to see if one is better than the other. The light, or optical microscope as it is also known was invented in the 17th century, it has been refined in many ways over the years but it is essentially still the same. The light microscope works by; light rays from a light source beneath the stage are through to glass lenses in series. The two lenses are called the objective lens and the ocular (eyepiece) lens. Depending on their strength these two lenses on their own routinely provide magnifications of up to 400 times. There is a limit to the amount of detail the light microscope can show, this limit is set by the resolving power. The resolving power is the minimum distance by which two points must be separated in order for them to be perceived as two separate points, rather than a single fused image. For the light microscope this distance is approximately 0.2µm. So in theory it might seem possible to magnify an object indefinitely by means of glass lenses in series. This has been put into practice and has only produced a larger and fuzzier picture; so the resolution is not improved and no more detail is visible. The resolution of the light microscope is imposed by
The acceleration of a ball down various inclines
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH PROJECT THE ACCELERATION OF A SPHERE OVER DIFFERENT INCLINES PREPARED BY SARANG PALERI TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS . Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Aim 4. Hypothesis 5. Materials 6. Method 7. Results 8. Discussion 9. Conclusion PAGE NO. 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 9 0 ABSTRACT In this experiment, I constructed a project to test the change in velocity of a spherical object down a slope, and how that is affected by different inclines. I will record the time a ball takes to get to the bottom of a plank, measuring the times it takes to get to different intervals. The inclines I will be using to roll the ball down are at 2°, 4°, 6°, 8° and 10°. The control will be at 90°, as the only force acting on it is gravity. I will roll the ball down the plank 5 times at each angle, ruling out some random errors. The ball will be a Wilson Championship Heavy Duty 70g tennis ball. The plank can be any length, but it is preferable to use pine wood, as it is soft and is not undulating. The measurements are made with multiple stopwatches, to record times at each interval. The independent variable is change in incline angle, and the dependant variable is velocity down the plank. The acceleration of the ball is determined by further analysing these results. INTRODUCTION My Semester 2 Science Assessment Task requires me to research and investigate an
Experiment to determine gravity from a spring using digital techniques
Experiment to determine gravity from a spring using digital techniques The aim of this experiment is to look at the relationship between the mass of a mass on a spring and its simple harmonic period when it is extended then released. This should theoretically follow the relationship: Which is in the form y=mx. This experiment will examine the straight line proportionality between the period squared of the SHM and the mass on the spring. This will be done by varying the mass on the spring, extending the spring a certain distance, and releasing the spring. The period of this oscillation is determined and this is repeated for different masses. From this, a graph of period squared against mass can be plotted, which should exhibit the straight line proportionality as shown above. This experiment will then use a simple rearrangement of Hooke's law, to to determine a value for gravitational field strength, which will then be compared to the accepted value of 9.81Nkg-1. To do this, the spring will be loaded with different masses, and the extension of the spring noted. A graph of mass against extension is then plotted, and from this a value for gravitational field strength can be calculated. Procedure Apparatus * Stand * Motion sensor * Computer with datastudio installed * Slotted masses and mass holder * CD * Pointer * Half metre stick * Balance accurate to 1g *
Microscopy. History of the microscope:-
Microscopy Microscopes are tools which allow us to see objects which we cannot see with the naked eye. There are two main types of microscopes used nowadays. These are light microscopes and electron microscopes. During the 16th century the microscope was invented, which was of great assistance to works in medicine and biology. At first, the microscope was basically used recreationally, and was found in the homes of wealthy people. However, not long afterwards, proper uses for the microscope were discovered, and so study of bacteria and diseases began. History of the microscope:- * Circa 1000AD - First vision aid was invented called a reading stone. It was a glass sphere that magnified when laid on top of reading materials. * Circa 1284 - Italian, Salvino D'Armate invented the first wearable eye glasses. * 1590 - Zaccharias Janssen and his son Hans Janssen experimented with multiple lenses in a tube and observed that objects appeared greatly enlarged * 1665 - Robert Hooke noticed some "pores" or "cells" in a sliver of cork looking through a microscope. * 1674 - Anton van Leeuwenhoek built a simple microscope with only one lens to examine blood, yeast, insects and other tiny objects. He invented new methods for grinding and polishing microscope lenses that allowed for curvatures providing magnifications of up to 270 diameters, the best available lenses at that time.
Aim:To find out whether or not the angle of the ramp affects the acceleration of the trolley.
Trolley Investigation Introduction: This is an investigation on the acceleration of a wheeled object going across an angled ramp. To clarify; we need to see if the angle effects this acceleration. In this case the object is a wooden trolley and the ramp is a flat straight wooden board. This can be observed in the diagram. Aim: To find out whether or not the angle of the ramp affects the acceleration of the trolley. Prediction: I predict that on a steeper ramp the trolley will accelerate faster; meaning the angle of the ramp is directly proportional to the acceleration. Hypothesis: Our Earth has a gravitational pull which gets weaker the further away an objects gets from it; and stronger the closer it gets; hence the closer the object is to the earth then the stronger gravitational force will be acting upon it from the earth. I have made my prediction to be what it is based on my previous knowledge and what I have learned from my science classes and textbooks. I think that a steeper ramp angle will cause the trolley to accelerate faster; this is because we are measuring the time it takes for the trolley to get to the bottom of the ramp; and the changes in acceleration. Every 2 dimensional movement (ignoring the fact the trolley can go side to side) has 2 directions: X and Y. In this experiment Y will be gravity and X will be determined by the angle of the ramp. If the
