Energy Sources and Alternative Energy
Paper details:
Read “Lab 4: Energy Sources and Alternative Energy. (Alternate Lab)” This lab will allow you to investigate the effects of acid mine drainage through experimentation. Additionally, it will allow for the exploration of solar energy through the use of a solar cell motor. Then, you will utilize this information and your eScience lab kit (do visual Alternate Lab) to complete Experiments 1 and 2 on the Week Four Lab Reporting Form. Make sure to complete all of the following items before submission::
a. Read through introductory material.
b. Perform Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining using your eScience lab manual and kit (do visual Alternate Lab).
c. Complete Table 1 and answer the Post Lab Questions 1 through 4 in complete sentences on the Week Four Lab Reporting Form.
d. Perform Experiment 2: Solar Energy using your eScience lab manual and kit (do visual Alternate Lab).
e. Complete Table 2 and answer Post Lab Questions 1 through 5 in complete sentences on the Week Four Lab Reporting Form
Lab 4 – Energy Sources and Alternative Energy
Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining
Table 1: pH of Water Samples
Water Sample Initial pH Final pH (after 48 hours)
Pyrite
Activated Carbon
Water
POST LAB QUESTIONS
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the effect of pyrite and coal (activated carbon) on the acidity of water?
a. Pyrite hypothesis =
b. Coal (activated carbon) hypothesis =
2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.
a. Pyrite hypothesis accept/reject =
b. Coal (activated carbon) hypothesis accept/reject =
3. Based on your data, what effect do you predict coal mining has on the environment?
Answer =
4. What can be done to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem? Utilize at least one scholarly resource to support your suggestions.
Answer =
Experiment 2: Solar Energy
Table 2: Solar Energy Experiment Results
Environmental Descriptor/Variable Observations
(Each should be compared against direct sunlight)
Weather of the Day
Motor speed in direct sunlight
Motor speed at 45 degree angle
Motor speed under reflectors
Motor speed with 25% shaded
Motor speed with 50% shaded
Motor speed with 75% shaded
Motor speed under red filtration
Motor speed under blue filtration
Motor speed under green filtration
Motor speed under yellow filtration
Post-Lab Questions
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight against the four variables tested?
Direct vs indirect hypothesis =
Direct vs reflected hypothesis =
Direct vs shaded hypothesis =
Direct vs filtered hypothesis =
2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.
Direct vs indirect accept/reject =
Direct vs reflected accept/reject =
Direct vs shaded accept/reject =
Direct vs filtered accept/reject =
3. Does increased exposure to the sun’s light produce more current? Explain how you know this based on your data.
Answer =
4. How could you increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day, when the sun’s angle is constantly changing?
Answer =
5. Based on your data, could adding filters to solar panels increase the solar energy produced? Explain how you know this.
Answer =
References
Any sources utilized should be listed here.
