Name____________________
Lab # 2: Watts the Matter?
Solar lab
date_____
Question: Does the wattage of light that strikes the solar panel affect the amount of
electricity it generates?
Hypothesis:
Materials:
 Solar panel
 1 K’NEX mini shuttle ride
 1 60 watt incandescent light bulb and light
 1 75 watt incandescent light bulb
 1 100 watt incandescent light bulb
 Heat resistant glove
 Graph paper
 Stop watch
Procedure:
1. Put 60 watt incandescent light bulb in light.
2. Place the solar panel under light.
3. Expose solar panel to light.
4. Count number of rotations the mini shuttle makes in 30 seconds.
5. Record data in a table like the one below.
6. Complete a total of three trials.
7. Calculate and graph averages.
8. Repeat steps 1-6 with a 75 watt and 100 watt incandescent light bulb (Caution:
use heat resistant gloves when changing light bulbs)
9. Repeat steps 1-6 with natural sunlight
Data Table:
Trial 1
60 Watt
75 Watt
100 Watt
Sunlight
Graph (attach)
Conclusion:
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Lab# 3: Does Angle Count?
Question: Is there a link between the angle at which light strikes the solar panel and the
amount of electricity it generates?
Hypothesis:
Materials:
 Protractor
 Solar panel
 1 K’NEX mini shuttle ride
 1 100 watt incandescent light bulb and light
 Graph paper
 Stop watch
Procedure:
1. Hold solar panel under light at a 90˚ angle (flat on the table)
2. Expose solar panel to light.
3. Count number of rotations the mini shuttle makes in 30 seconds.
4. Record data in a table like the one below.
5. Complete a total of three trials at a 90˚ angle.
6. Calculate and graph averages.
7. Repeat steps 1-4 at 50˚ and 10˚.
Data Table:
Trial 1
90˚
50˚
10˚
Graph (attached)
Conclusion:
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Lab # 4: In the Shade
Question: Does the amount that solar panel is exposed to sun light affect the amount of
electricity it generates?
Hypothesis:
Materials:
 Solar panel
 1 K’NEX mini shuttle ride
 1 100 watt incandescent light bulb and light
 An index card
 Graph paper
 Stop watch
Procedure:
1. Place the solar panel under light.
2. Expose entire solar panel to light.
3. Count number of rotations the mini shuttle makes in 30 seconds.
4. Record data in a table like the one below.
5. Complete a total of three trials.
6. Calculate and graph averages.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 Covering the portions of the solar panel shown below with an
index card
Entire panel
1/3a.
1/3b.
1/2
Data Table:
Trial 1
Entire Panel
1/3 a Panel
1/3 b Panel
1/2 Panel
Graph: (attached)
Conclusion:
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Lab # 6: Indirect vs. Direct Sunlight
Question: Is there a difference between direct and indirect light and the amount of
electricity it generates?
Materials:
 Solar panel
 1 K’NEX mini shuttle ride
 1 100 watt incandescent light bulb and light
 1 Metric ruler
 Stop watch
Procedure:
1. Place the solar panel directly under light.
2. lay a metric ruler along the width of the solar panel (0-7cm see below)
3. Expose solar panel to light.
4. Count number of rotations the mini shuttle makes in 30 seconds.
5. Record data in a table like the one below.
6. Complete a total of three trials.
7. Calculate and graph averages.
8. Repeat steps 1-6 moving the panel one width of its self away each time (7-14 cm
away and 14-21cm). (see diagram below)
Directly under
light
0-7cm
7-14cm
14-21cm
Data Table:
Trial 1
0-7cm
7-14cm
14-21cm
Graph: (see attached)
Conclusion:
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average