Materials Needed:
- Solar Panel
- Motor
- Straw
- Protractor
- Propeller
- Sunshine
Procedure: (see Figure 3)
Do this at 3 different times of day (ie 8am, 11am, 2pm).
- Attach the propeller to the motor shaft.
- Connect the motor to the solar cell.
- Go outside and hold the solar cell level.
- Count how many times per minute the propeller turns.
- Hold straw so it is parallel to the sun's rays and
casts no shadow (other than a ring).
- Measure the angle of the straw to the level plane
(solar cell) using the protractor.
- Note the angle, propeller turns and weather conditions
at each trial.
- Repeat these steps on 3 separate days.
Figure 7: Sun's angle investigation setup
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Calculate the average turns over the 3 days for each of the
times the observations were taken.
Observations:
The angle of the sun is different at different times of the
day and affects the power to your motor. Weather conditions
also affect the power available. Make deductions based on
your results, when the race will be held and your strategy
in the design of your car.
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