Science Experiments

Posts Tagged ‘diy’

Question: In a simple generator, how do you calculate the volts and amps?

I have to help my kid with a science fair experiment. He is building a simple generator. The magnet is turned manually. He has to figure out how many amps are produced and at what voltage. I think this is a product of the magnet’s rpms?
Please keep in mind that I have no background in electrical engineering whatsoever. This generator is very very simple…..it is a magnet (which is turned by hand) and copper wire is turned around the magnet, then connected to a light bulb.
In other words, what is the output (amps and volts) a product of? Is it the speed at which the magnet is turned? Etc…..

Answer: radio shack has a multimeter for about $8 Model: 22-218
Catalog #: 22-218 (you could buy two of them) It will measure volts and DC amps(you’ll be producing AC volts/amps)
You can get a rectifier for about $3 at radio shack(Model: 276-1181 Catalog #: 276-1181–easily wired as they are marked))
An AC ampmeter is about $12 at http://www.action-electronics.com/panelmeters.htm but you can shop around
I doubt that there will be enough power to light a bulb-depends on how good of a generator is made.
The output will depend on the strength of the magnets, proximetry to the coils etc. Frequency will depend on the speed.
If you decide to use a bulb it will have to be a miniture on like at http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/2%7C5v%7C0.02a~usa.html
there are some “grain of wheat” 5 volt bulbs on ebay

Magnet in Copper Pipe

Question: How do home schooled students do Science Experiments that require special equipment?

Chemistry, dissections for biology, etc. Do the parents do it themselves at home? What if the parent doesn’t know how to dissect a frog or mix chemicals without blowing the place up???

Answer: We, the parents, buy the materials at the same supply houses as the schools. We, the parents, have generally done these experiments, dissections, prepped lab slides, etc. ourselves at some point in our education since we DID go to school and or college, and or have advanced degrees.

We sometimes share expensive equipment in cooperatives and frequently prepped slides. We follow instructions carefully and have emergency equipment available in case someone has an accident. And often times a parent in the group who happens to be a scientist or doctor or professor can sometimes allow us access to a lab for fee. Especially if the student is working at an AP level.

Long answer short: the same way you do it in school.

And if you are a homeschooling parent wondering how to get started, try Home Training Tools website for supplies and guides and texts. Also SK & Boreal Laboratories for elementary and secondary supplies.

kitchen chemistry

Question: Has anyone ever heard about Jesus’s half brother Haute Karl?

Haute Karl was a reserved man. He stayed home and studied science while his brother would go out and do magic tricks to entertain others and make a celebrity out of himself. Haute Karl was not religious, and believed his brother to be extremely mentally unstable. Not much else is known about this guy, but here is a little verse that mentions him:

Billy “Zeus” Bob 4:69: And that there Haute Karl down over there sateth down and readeth his books, while Jesus tried to walk on water, nearly drowningeth. Karl saved Jesus then looketh him in the face and said “Jesus, you son of a bitches”.

Well, there you go. Now you know about the half brother of Jesus. Feel free to spread the word, and mention him at church the next time you go.

Answer: And his one and a half brother, Cleveland Steamer, the biologist who worked as the man with 6 legs as the Human Spider in the circus.

No one talks about him because Jesus was arachnophobic.

Egg Drop Inertia Challenge – Cool Science Trick