Science Probe I Technology Activities

Chapter 18

Internet

Select an alternative energy source such as wind power, hydroelectric power, energy from biomass, energy form the ocean, solar power, or geothermal power. Conduct an Internet search on that topic. Locate information that will allow you to answer these questions:

a.What efficiency output can be obtained from this source?
b.What is the current cost to produce electricity as compared to coal power? c.What difficulties are there in reconstructing and using the equipment? d.What are its advantages?
e.What are its disadvantages?
f.What environmental effects does it have?

It might also be helpful to correspond through e-mail or talk in a web discussion site with a power company specialist to get your answers. Prepare a presentation to inform your classmates of your findings. Below is a web site to get you started:

National Renewal Energy Laboratories
http://www.nrel.gov/st.html

Application Software

Activity 18B – Use a word processing program to set up the three-column table as directed in this activity. Fill the column "Forms of Energy" with the information provided in the activity. As you study Figure 18.1 and the definitions provided, complete the remainder of the table. Print the table, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook.

Activity 18D – Use a word processing program to write the report about your demonstration; also use it to prepare the table to summarize your observations of the energy transformation demonstrations given by other students. Print your work, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.

Activity 18E – (Probeware may also be used; see directions below.) Use a spreadsheet program to make the data table that contains the Height of ball and Number of bounce for this activity. Record the data in the spreadsheet as you perform the activity. Use the mathematical functions of the spreadsheet to do the calculations automatically for finding the percentage gravitational potential energy the ball gains after each bounce, as directed in the Extension. Use the graphing feature of the spreadsheet to plot the graph of Height of ball (cm) on the vertical axis and number of bounces on the horizontal axis. Print the final spreadsheet and graph, and secure them in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.

Probeware

Activity 18E – Use a motion detector probe attached to a computer or calculator to measure the height the ball bounces. Secure the motion sensor above the top end of the meter stick, facing down. Test that the motion sensor is detecting only the motion of the falling ball by dropping the ball a couple of times and observing the data displayed. When the motion sensor is detecting the motion of the ball correctly, perform the experiment as directed in the activity. After the final drop of the ball, use the application software to print the data table and plot a graph of Height of ball (cm) on the vertical axis and Time on the horizontal axis. Label each bounce on the graph. Secure the data table, and graph in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions for this activity.