Light Source Voltage and the Velocity of a Solar Car - Lab Report Example

The paper “Light Source Voltage and the Velocity of a Solar Car" is a brilliant variant of a lab report on physics. A solar car involves an electronic vehicle that is entirely powered by solar energy. In most cases, the photovoltaic cells inside the solar panels change the energy of the sun into electrical energy. In this case, the solar energy is utilized in powering the propulsion of the car. Additionally, solar power could be utilized in providing power for controls, communication, and other Auxillary functions of the solar car(Pimentel 31).

In practice, solar cars are never supplied as daily transportation, but are normally seen as primarily vehicles for demonstration and exercise engineering that are sponsored by agencies of the government. In attempts to gain insight concerning the operation of solar vehicles, an experiment is set to investigate the relationship between the light source voltage and the velocity of a solar car. Objective of the experiment. The objective of the experiment is to find out the effect of light source voltage on the velocity of a solar car.

  Theory. A photovoltaic solar panel involves a device that changes solar radiation to the electrical current through the use of semi conductors. This process is directed by the formula I = P/A, where I represent the solar rays intensity, P the output power, and A represents the panel’s surface area. This process applies for any source of light (Pimentel 21). Prior studies have also reported that P = E/T, where E is given by 1/2mv2. This two-equation deals with a 100% motor efficient and provides I for the light that arrives at the PV cell.

If this is substituted in the initial I equation, the new equation would be given as; I = E/(4πr^2). From this equation, the unknown Voltage of the light bulb will be obtained. As this process progresses, the variables that are uncontrolled is the key efficiency of the motor and solar panel. The actual light source resistance remains unknown until the experiment is finalized. In the experiment, all the other variables would be controlled in a rigid manner (Pimentel 34). For example, the experiment will be carried out in the room that is semi-dark to give room to avoid the external light source, which may affect the outcome of the experiment.

Temperature and the light tube intensity, on the other side, will be in a stable state. Apparatus. In this experiment, the instruments and materials used include: One engine considered being 100% efficient; one solar panel considered being 100% efficient; a rail track of length four meters; A 100 grams car with solar and engine panel; a lighting tube of length 4 meters attached to a Swiss AC current (230V); logger pro; Motion Sensor, and a computer data analyzing device. Procedure. The truck and the neon will be set up so that they were aligned vertically at a distance of about 50 cm.

This will make the intensity of light constant for the entire truck. The motion sensor will be put at one end of the track and plugged into the computer and the device of analyzing data. After this, a car will be assembled. The car will also be run inside the truck. This process will be repeated at least 10 times. The average velocity for the 10 trials will be calculated using the series formula. Discussion. From the results, one would find out that solar cars rely on the PV cells in converting sunlight to the electrical drive that is vital in the electric motors that are normally fitted inside a solar car.

PV cells are efficient for solar cars as they convert sunlight directly into electricity. These cars do combine the technology that is typically utilized in the bicycle, aerospace bicycle, automotive, and alternative energy industries. The solar car design is limited by the quantity of energy input inside the car (Pimentel 45). These cars are mostly established for races. The solar cells, on the other hand, have the ability to collect energy and power that is limited over the car surface areas.

This is one trait of the solar cars, which limits the vehicle to having only one seat, with no capacity for any luggage. The car has an ultra-light composite body that saves the weight of the car. I this respect, the solar cars have a limitation of lacking convenience and safety features of conventional vehicles.