Introduction
In this project, the driving question was how can we convert chemical energy to another form of useful energy. Before diving into how my group could create chemical energy, we first had to look at the different energy types we could transfer this chemical energy into. These include electrical, light, sound, thermal, potential, kinetic, and elastic energy. After brainstorming various ways to transfer energy, we landed on a plan consisting of a battery powering a fan.
Our first plans for a battery were to create voltaic cells out of coins and cardboard, and then stack them in series to create the battery. This proved problematic because in order to create a working voltaic cell, we needed copper coins, which are no longer produced. To resolve this issue, we switched from coins to sheets of copper and zinc. Our true first edition of a battery was made of a copper square, cardboard dipped in salt water, and then a zinc square, all with dimensions 3cm by 3cm. After 6 design revisions, our final battery was comprised of 16 voltaic cells, each made by copper, felt dipped in saltwater, and zinc. It was able to produce 4.5 volts, but unfortunately did not produce enough current to power the fan. However, our battery was able to light an LED.
Our first plans for a battery were to create voltaic cells out of coins and cardboard, and then stack them in series to create the battery. This proved problematic because in order to create a working voltaic cell, we needed copper coins, which are no longer produced. To resolve this issue, we switched from coins to sheets of copper and zinc. Our true first edition of a battery was made of a copper square, cardboard dipped in salt water, and then a zinc square, all with dimensions 3cm by 3cm. After 6 design revisions, our final battery was comprised of 16 voltaic cells, each made by copper, felt dipped in saltwater, and zinc. It was able to produce 4.5 volts, but unfortunately did not produce enough current to power the fan. However, our battery was able to light an LED.
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Reflection
As a whole, I feel like this project was a success. Our final version of a battery was able to independently power an LED. I believe my group excelled in creativity during this project. Most other groups went with the traditional lemon battery, but we decided to try something different by using metals as our cathode and anode. Moreover, whenever we ran into a challenge, we were able to brainstorm solutions to solve the issue. The most prominent issue we had was that the cardboard in our first design was not conducting electricity. To fix this, we switched to felt, which was able to hold a higher density of electrolytes, thus allowing our battery to conduct electricity. Another area where my group did well was our work ethic. Every day we made progress, whether it was creating the actual battery or forming our presentation. We also had good communication, so my group had no problems with working together.
An area where I could personally improve upon is the understanding of how the battery and LED actually work. I possess a general understanding of the basic principles of both, but I still have questions regarding the flow of ions and current through the battery, along with how the semi conductors of LEDs really work. Another thing I could improve upon is work ethic. Although my group made progress every day, I was not always on task. This hurt my group because I could have contributed when I was instead distracted.
An area where I could personally improve upon is the understanding of how the battery and LED actually work. I possess a general understanding of the basic principles of both, but I still have questions regarding the flow of ions and current through the battery, along with how the semi conductors of LEDs really work. Another thing I could improve upon is work ethic. Although my group made progress every day, I was not always on task. This hurt my group because I could have contributed when I was instead distracted.