Science Fair: From Momentum to Electricity

Introduction:

our project aims to find new ways to generate electricity, where we try and use movement to power an LED. In our experiment, we test the effect of the strength of the kinetic energy on the brightness of the LED light.

1. LED light
2. Speaker
3. Insulated copper electric wires
4. Multimeter

Pair Names: Hadeel Almusaeed, Layan Abukabbos

Individual Idea:

Hadeel Almusaeed; Building an electronic soil moisture sensor to conserve water.

Layan Abukabbos; Testing radiation levels from different materials. Basically some idea related to “radiation”.

Agreed idea in detail:

as a pair, we agreed to investigate a way to convert kinetic energy into electric energy. we will achieve this by applying mechanical stress to a material that has an electric current that can be harvested. furthermore, we will test how kinetic energy created in a speaker can light up an LED light.

Problem statement:

having limited sources of energy in our community. creating or discovering a new way would prove development.

Purpose in detail:

Determining the relationship between movement and electricity, and how one can affect each other. The experiment will define the power generated by movement and how much is enough to turn on an LED light.

Define the problem:

How is the brightness of the LED dependent on kinetic energy?

The kinetic energy can be harnessed much like some hydropower technologies harness water movement. A way to convert this kinetic energy into electric energy is through piezoelectricity. By applying mechanical stress to a piezoelectric crystal or material an electric current will be created and can be harvested.

And did you know that every speaker (that uses a copper wire coil and a magnet) can be used as a microphone?

Graham Richard, M. (2021). What Is Kinetic Energy? Can It Be Harnessed to Power Our Stuff?. Retrieved 3 April 2021, from https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-kinetic-energy...

momentum | Definition, Examples, & Facts. (2018). Retrieved 3 April 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/science/momentum

If the rate of kinetic energy is higher, then the LED would light up brightly and more intensely, because higher rates of energy produce higher current voltage.

Independent variable: Kinetic energy, as it doesn't get effects by the other variables and it only affects the dependent variable.

Dependent variable: The brightness of the LED, as it depends on the kinetic energy.

Control variables: LED light - speaker, as they don't change throughout the experiment.

1. LED light
2. Large Speaker
3. Electric Copper wires
4. Multimeter

1) Connect the two ends of the multimeter with the speaker, press lightly on the speaker in order to show different readings on the multimeter measuring the voltage produced.

2) Connect the ends of the speaker with two copper wires.

3) Connect the other ends of the copper wires with the LED light.

4) As the LED light is connected, press on the speaker at different rates showing different electrical voltages. 5) Observe the brightness of the LED light with the different pressure rates.

Patterns:

The data collected shows a positive relation, where the coordinated move in a tandem motion meaning the coordinates are moving in the same direction in the graph .as the brightness of the LED increases as the rate of kinetic energy increases. In other words, when the rate of the kinetic energy increases, the brightness of the LED decreases. This is proven in the experiment, where when we experimented with a low kinetic energy the LED light was vague and flashing, and when the kinetic energy was measured at 0.8 and 1.0 the LED was bright and fully on.

concluding statement:

According to our experiment, I concluded that energy waves effectively impact the brightness of the LED light.

Evaluating the hypothesis:

The data results correspond with the hypothesis because our hypothesis was correct. Where we predicted that If the rate of kinetic energy is higher, then the LED would light up brightly and more intensely because higher rates of energy produce higher current-voltage.. The experiment proved that the increase of kinetic energy resulted in a higher brightness of the LEDs.

Evaluating the method:

Every scientific experiment has both advantages and disadvantages, these help us improve our conclusion as individuals and help resolve issues in our community. the strengths of the experiment are that the data collected is accurate because we did multiple trials to test our hypothesis. Also, the experiment was easy to perform and can be done instantly. On the other hand, one of the weaknesses of the experiment is that the equipment is not available for some people as it had to be purchased.

Improving the experiment:

If I would change something in the experiment, I would try and use other materials to press the speaker. Other questions that I could investigate are the effect of different objects and the effect of different types of energy on the brightness of the LED.

Taking things into action, my partner and I messaged a power facility within Saudi Arabia, Khobar, and offered our discovery with the message;

“Hello, Power Cogeneration Plant Company, We are fellow students in Dhahran Ahliyaa School working on our science fair project titled; "Energy and Momentum ". Fundamentally referencing the alternation of electricity with kinetic energy. We find it very efficient as it is a healthier substitute for the environment, regarding your headlines of sustainability, we are certain that you care about the environment as well. Coming to the point, we are offering you an idea that would certainly ensure safety, another priority of yours, and that is to use movement and kinetic energy as power sources, alternating electricity and its harmful effects.

Best Regards, DAS Students.”

(2017). Retrieved 3 April 2021, from https://pcpc-sa.com/news/white-case-advises-saudi-aramco-on-the-development-and-financing-of-three-cogeneration-plants/

1- Research skills: We used research skills while investigating different topics and ideas that could be our science fair ideas. We also researched the way our experiment work.

2- Self-management skills: During our working process we set different goals and we had an organized plan that we used to achieve progress during certain time periods.

3- Thinking skills: We used thinking skills in brainstorming ways we could apply our project and ways to improve our experiment.

4- Communication and Social (collaboration) skills: As a team we worked cooperatively to achieve certain goals, we also used social skills while communicating our opinions and ideas.