Energy sources and Alternative Energy

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Lab 4: Energy Sources and Alternative Energy

. 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, utilize this information and your eScience lab kit to complete Experiments 1 and 2 on the

Lab 4 Reporting Form

, completing all tables as you proceed. Make sure that all of the following items are completed before submission:

Read through intro material and record your hypothesis for “Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining” on the Lab 4 Reporting Form.

Perform “Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining” using your eScience lab manual and kit. Answer post lab questions 1 through 5 on the Lab 4 Reporting Form.

Record your hypothesis for “Experiment 2: Solar Energy” on the Lab 4 Reporting Form.

Complete “Experiment 2: Solar Energy” using your eScience lab manual and kit. Answer post lab questions 1 through 6 on the Lab 4 Reporting Form.

All post lab questions for “Lab 4: Energy Sources and Alternative Energy” should be completed on the Lab 4 Reporting Form. Save your completed Lab 4 Reporting Form as a Word document. The document must be formatted according to APA style, including a title page and references page.

Lab 4 – Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining

Table 1: pH of Water Samples
Water Sample	Initial pH	Final pH
Pyrite
Activated Carbon
Water

Hypothesis:

Post-Lab Questions

1. Restate your hypothesis. Was it confirmed or denied? How do you know?

2. What, if any, change did you observe within your water samples?

3. What type of substance formed in the jars?

4. What effect do you predict coal mining has on the environment?

5. What can be done to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem?

Lab 4 – Experiment 2: Solar Energy

Table 2: Solar Energy Experiment Results
Environmental Descriptor/Variable	Observations
Weather of the Day
Light Source
Incandescent Bulb Wattage
Sunlight Angle
Sunlight with Reflector
Shaded Configuration A Description
Shaded Configuration B Description
Shaded Configuration C Description
Red Filter
Blue Filter
Green Filter
Yellow Filter

Hypothesis:
Post-Lab Questions
1. Restate your hypothesis. Was it confirmed or denied? How do you know?

2. How did the revolutions of the motor compare when the solar cell was held to an incandescent light source vs. the sun as a light source?

3. Does increased exposure to the sun’s light produce more current? Explain.

4. How did shading different parts of the solar panel affect the motor’s output?

5. What effect did you observe when different colored filters were placed atop the solar panel? What does this indicate about different wavelengths of light?

6. How could you increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day, when the sun’s angle is constantly changing?

Tableof Contents Environmental Science

Lab 4