Activity 1.3.1- Solar Hydrogen Automobile
Introduction
A third of the energy used by people is used for transportation—mostly for cars, trucks, and planes. These are mostly fueled by gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which we get from petroleum. To use another source of energy like wind, solar, or nuclear energy, the energy must be stored so that it is available on the vehicle. Rechargeable batteries are one familiar technology for storing energy for later use. Another technology uses fuel cells with hydrogen gas. How would a hydrogen-fueled car work?
A third of the energy used by people is used for transportation—mostly for cars, trucks, and planes. These are mostly fueled by gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which we get from petroleum. To use another source of energy like wind, solar, or nuclear energy, the energy must be stored so that it is available on the vehicle. Rechargeable batteries are one familiar technology for storing energy for later use. Another technology uses fuel cells with hydrogen gas. How would a hydrogen-fueled car work?
Conclusion Questions
1. Using the measurements you made, compare and relate the four options you explored. Was the car best powered by a single fuel cell, a single solar module, two AAA batteries in series, or two AAA batteries in parallel?
The car was best powered by two AAA batteries in a series circuit.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The suitability was best described by power which is determined by multiplying Current and Voltage together.
3. If you had many solar modules, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how you would connect the solar modules in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Roughly 6 solar modules would be needed to get the same performance from the car.
4. If you had many fuel cells, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how you would connect the fuel cells in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Roughly 3 fuel cells would be needed to get the same performance from the car.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
N/A
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
When sunlight hits a photovoltaic cell, its semi-conductor gets its electrons knocked out of it, powering electrical conductors on the semi-conductor's negative side and powering a circuit.
Link: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/
7. Detail how electrolysis separates hydrogen and oxygen. How is electricity produced as the fuel cell allows the hydrogen to reunite in a bond with oxygen? Record the source of your information.
Electrolysis separates water into hydrogen and oxygen by attracting the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms to their respective electrode. When they come in contact with it, their ionic charge becomes balanced and form molecules.
Link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
1. Using the measurements you made, compare and relate the four options you explored. Was the car best powered by a single fuel cell, a single solar module, two AAA batteries in series, or two AAA batteries in parallel?
The car was best powered by two AAA batteries in a series circuit.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The suitability was best described by power which is determined by multiplying Current and Voltage together.
3. If you had many solar modules, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how you would connect the solar modules in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Roughly 6 solar modules would be needed to get the same performance from the car.
4. If you had many fuel cells, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how you would connect the fuel cells in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Roughly 3 fuel cells would be needed to get the same performance from the car.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
N/A
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
When sunlight hits a photovoltaic cell, its semi-conductor gets its electrons knocked out of it, powering electrical conductors on the semi-conductor's negative side and powering a circuit.
Link: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/
7. Detail how electrolysis separates hydrogen and oxygen. How is electricity produced as the fuel cell allows the hydrogen to reunite in a bond with oxygen? Record the source of your information.
Electrolysis separates water into hydrogen and oxygen by attracting the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms to their respective electrode. When they come in contact with it, their ionic charge becomes balanced and form molecules.
Link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/