Lab 4 - Energy Sources and Alternative Energy
Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining
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Table 1: pH of Water Samples
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Water Sample
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Initial pH
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Final pH (24-48 hours)
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Pyrite
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6
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6
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Activated Carbon
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6
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7
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Water
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6
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6
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POST LAB QUESTIONS
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the effect of pyrite and coal on the acidity of water?
a. Pyrite hypothesis =
b. Coal hypothesis =
2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.
a. Pyrite hypothesis accept/reject =
b. Coal hypothesis accept/reject =
3. Based on your data, what effect do you predict coal mining has on the environment?
Answer =
4. What can be done to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem? Utilize at least one scholarly resource to support your suggestions.
Answer =
Experiment 2: Solar Energy
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Table 2: Solar Energy Experiment Results
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Environmental Descriptor/Variable
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Observations
(Each should be compared against direct subnlight)
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Weather of the Day
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Sunny, 70 degrees, winds NW@ 6 mph
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Motor speed in direct sunlight
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Medium
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Motor speed at 45 degree angle
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Medium
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Motor speed under reflectors
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Medium
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Motor speed with 25% shaded
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Medium
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Motor speed with 50% shaded
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Medium
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Motor speed with 75% shaded
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Medium
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Motor speed under red filtration
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Medium
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Motor speed under blue filtration
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Medium
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Motor speed under green filtration
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Medium
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Motor speed under yellow filtration
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Medium
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Post-Lab Questions
1. Develop hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight against the 4 variables tested?
Direct vs indirect hypothesis =
Direct vs reflected hypothesis =
Direct vs shaded hypothesis =
Direct vs filtered hypothesis =
2. Based on the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.
Direct vs indirect accept/reject =
Direct vs reflected accept/reject =
Direct vs shaded accept/reject =
Direct vs filtered accept/reject =
3. Does increased exposure to the sun's light produce more current? Explain how you know this based on your data?
Answer =
4. How could you increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day, when the sun's angle is constantly changing?
Answer =
5. Based on your data, could adding filters to solar panels increase the solar energy produced? Explain how you know this.
Answer =