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 (24-48 hours) |
Pyrite |
6 |
6 |
Activated Carbon |
6 |
7 |
Water |
6 |
6 |
POST LAB QUESTIONS
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the effect of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water?
a. Pyrite hypothesis =
b. Coal 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 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 subnlight) |
Weather of the Day |
Sunny, 70 degrees, winds NW@ 6 mph |
Motor speed in direct sunlight |
Medium |
Motor speed at 45 degree angle |
Medium |
Motor speed under reflectors |
Medium |
Motor speed with 25% shaded |
Medium |
Motor speed with 50% shaded |
Medium |
Motor speed with 75% shaded |
Medium |
Motor speed under red filtration |
Medium |
Motor speed under blue filtration |
Medium |
Motor speed under green filtration |
Medium |
Motor speed under yellow filtration |
Medium |
Post-Lab Questions
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight against the 4 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 =