Experiment

            One way to solve the energy crisis would be to find an efficient alternative energy source that may someday be used to replace fossil fuels. Wind and solar energy are two alternative energy sources that are plentiful in all regions of the world, and therefore may be used by nearly everyone. The experiment will be to build two simple machines, out of everyday materials, that can be compared to one another in their efficiency to produce a potential for energy. The two machines are an anemometer and an air turbine. An anemometer is a device that uses the speed and velocity of the wind to turn. It is very much like a wind turbine because it could be attached to a generator and could create electricity by rotating a shaft. The greater the velocity and speed of the wind, the faster this device will turn, and therefore has a potential for energy dependant on its rate of rotation. An air turbine is a device that uses the heat from the sun to turn. Heated air rises, so what happens is that as the sun heats up the air around the turbine, the air will rise and turn the device. Depending on how hot the sun is, and how efficient the machine is, the machine will have a different rate of rotation. The faster the rate, the more times it can turn a generator and the greater the potential for a stronger electric current.

Both of these machines will be basically the same concept and the same type of materials in order that they may be similar enough to be comparable.

What will take place in the experiment is that both machines will be tested, compared, and contrasted for their efficiency. Both machines will be taken outside and tested three times per day, in the same place, at the same time. The first testing will occur at 6:45 a.m., the second at 4:00 p.m., and the third will be at 7:30. This will tell me which is more effective, and this will also tell me which had the fastest rate of rotation the greatest number of times. This information will be accurate because not much more friction will be applied to keep the machine from turning properly, nor will any other force be working on it besides the natural elements of nature.

Before the efficiency and energy potential can be tested, however, the machines must be properly built.

Procedure

Materials: 2 pieces of cardboard (1in. by 18in.), 1 square of cardboard (1in by 1in) scissors, 4 tacks, 4 individual metal foil pans, paint or permanent markers, large needle, pencil, spool of thread, clay, glue, tall box, and a block of wood.

Materials: large circle of paper, (18 in. diameter) ruler, large needle, square of cardboard or balsa wood (1x1in.) scissors, pencil, 27 lengths of wire, (3in. each) paint or markers, clay, spool of thread, glue, large squares of black paper, and a block of wood.

                  Anemometer

Materials: 2 pieces of cardboard (1in. by 18in.), 1 square of cardboard (1in by 1in) scissors, 4 tacks, 4 individual metal foil pans, paint or permanent markers, large needle, pencil, spool of thread, clay, glue, tall box, and a block of wood.

1. Cut a slit in the center of both lengths of cardboard so that they will fit together like a cross. Use glue or clay to keep the beams stable.

            2. Use the tacks to pin one of the foil cups onto each end of each beam.

3. Paint one of the foil cups a bright color so that it will be easier to count each revolution.

4. To make a base, glue a 1x1 in. cardboard square onto the center of the cross (where both cardboard beams intersect)

            5. Then insert the needle into the eraser of the pencil.

6. Insert the sharpened end of the pencil into the hole of the spool and use clay to keep it steady.

7. Make a small hole in the cardboard square and slide the needle into it. The hole should not go all the way through the beams, but should go only about ¼ or ½ of the way. The beams should rest on the needle but should not touch the pencil eraser. If the beams do rest on the eraser, adjust the depth of the hole by filling it with white glue and trying again.

8. Glue the bottom of the spool to the block of wood and let it dry. Secure any loose parts.

9. Take your anemometer outside and, if desired, place it on top of a box to receive as much wind as possible.

                   10. Watch your anemometer spin and spin and spin!

Air Turbine

Materials: large circle of poster board (9 in. diameter), ruler, large needle, scissors, pencil, paint or markers, clay, spool of thread, glue, large squares of black paper, and a block of wood.

1. Measure out the proper diameter of the circle. Then, using the pencil, draw a smaller circle inside with a 4in. diameter.

2. Every one inch around the poster board circle, make a small dash, then, using the ruler, extend these lines until they touch the small inner circle, and you have about 21 lines radiating out from the center.

3. Cut along these lines, stopping at the inner circle.

4. To create the wheel, give each blade a slight twist in the same direction. Color one blade a bright color in order that you may count the revolutions.

5. To make a base for your machine, insert the needle into the eraser of the pencil. The blunt end should be in the eraser, and the sharp end out.

6. Insert the sharpened end of the pencil into the spool and use clay to keep it steady.

7. Glue the spool to the block of wood. Secure any loose parts.

8. Rest the tip of the needle on the center of the circle, finding a balance point. Make sure the wheel is balanced evenly. If needed, prick a small hole in the paper and insert the needle into this hole.

9. Take your turbine outside to a sunny place, and lay the black papers underneath the base to absorb more heat for your machine.

10. Watch your turbine spin!

                                                                      Compare the two machines: which is more efficient?