science fair projects: 2012

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way. Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects:
Air propulsion Motor Boats(Simple Electric Circu...: Air propulsion Motor Boats (Simple Electric Circuit) Combine the joy and excitement of mechanical toys with your science project by con...

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way. Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects:
Air BatteryMake a battery that works with air and...: Air Battery Make a battery that works with air and saltwater This science project experiment is a simplified version of the air battery pr...All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way. Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects:
Electric Generator
Wooden Generator
Making an e...: Electric Generator Wooden Generator Making an electric generator is a good way of learning the principles of generators. It also is ...All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way. Source: www.scienceproject.comAll the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way. Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects:
Make Electricity from fruitsIntroduction:
This p...: Make Electricity from fruits Introduction: This project is one of the most famous electricity projects that can be performed successfully...All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects: Double Helix DNA ModelMaking a model is the best ...

science fair projects:
Double Helix DNA ModelMaking a model is the best ...: Double Helix DNA Model Making a model is the best way for learning about the elements of a DNA molecule. You can use your model as a separ...All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects: Double Helix DNA ModelMaking a model is the best ...

science fair projects: Starch ExperimentState the Problem:What foods ...

science fair projects:
Starch Experiment
State the Problem:
What foods ...: Starch Experiment State the Problem: What foods or vegetables contain starch? Research the Problem: Before we start, we need to know m...All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects: The Gauss Rifle:A Magnetic Linear Accelerator Th...

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

science fair projects: Gear Propulsion Solar CarIntroduction:MiniScience...

science fair projects:
Gear Propulsion Solar CarIntroduction:MiniScience...: Gear Propulsion Solar Car Introduction: MiniScience's Solar Racer activity introduces students to alternative energy concepts while inco...
all the content published in the blog is personal
www.scienceproject.com

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Pulley Motor CarDesign ideas

This page provides some pictures and ideas on how a pulley motor car may be constructed. It is not meant to serve as a step-by-step recipe or assembly instructions. You may use these ideas to complete your own design and construct your own model of pulley motor car. Some pictures may show parts that are different in shape, size or color from what you may have in your kit.

Introduction:Pulley motor car is an electric car using pulleys to transfer the mechanical energy from the motor to the wheels. MiniScience's Pulley Car activity introduces students to compound machines and simple machines including pulley, wheel and axle while incorporating problem solving, mechanical design and modeling. In addition, students will experience using hand tools as they construct their Pulley Motor Car.

Students can explore:

Propulsion types and drive concepts
Basic soldering techniques and electronic concepts
Simple electric circuit including battery, motor and switch

Teacher Preparation:During construction of the Pulley Motor racer vehicle, students can experiment and comprehend methods of power transfer, soldering (optional), wheel alignment and calculating pulley wheel ratios. It is up to the teacher to make sure this background information is provided to students in some manner.
Materials Checklist:
Before using the kit please make sure you have all the items listed below. This kit has the supplies to build one pulley motor car model. A pulley motor car is an electric car that uses pulleys and belts for its transmission system.

Battery Holder
AC motor
Rear Slicks 1 9/16" diameter x 5/8" wide
Front Wheels 1 3/8" diameter
1/8" dowel for axles

Traction Bands
Eyelets or washers
Straw
Eye Screws
Pulleys
Wood Sheet 5" x 2" x 3/32" (or larger, so you can cut to any size)
Axle Guards, Basswood 1/5" x 1/5" x 2" (5mm x 5mm x 5cm) sticks
Motor Mount (With straps if needed)
Procedure Sheet

Propulsion Systems:Propulsion systems include using two AA batteries and a DC motor with a Pulley and Rubber band drive.
Advanced students are encouraged to experiment with different size pulleys.

Basic Tools Required
These items may be required to build the pulley motor vehicle: (You can make your car model without them as well)

craft knife, used to cut or trim soft wood.
White glue, wood glue or glue gun
Soldering Iron, needed if you need to solder wires.
Pliers, used to connect and twist wires together if needed
rulers, used for measurements
Pencil, used for marking

Safety Recommendations
During the construction of the vehicle, the following safety precautions should be observed.

Wear safety glasses
Use care with sharp cutting blades
Avoid touching the tip of the glue gun or soldering gun
Put safety first

Competition Categories
Competition between students can be based on design, drawings, final appearance, distance-traveled, speed, etc.
Races can be held between cars in a track. Due to the very high speed, design flaws can seriously damage the vehicle in its first strike to a wall or any hard object.
In addition, teachers could implement a problem-solving category for advanced or older students. Teachers would provide students with the pulley car kit then instruct students to make use of additional materials in the classroom to construct a customized vehicle. additional items could include wood scraps, stickers, paint, CD, colored wheels and more. How elaborate or complex the pulley motor cars are depends on imagination and resources.

Standard Assembly Steps

Make your pulley motor car model in 3 simple steps.

Step 1:

Construct the basic car chassis with 4 wheels

Cut a strip of wood that is 2" (5cm) wide.Mark the location of axles by drawing two lines, one on each end of the car, parallel to the front or back side. Axle lines must be about 1 inch away from the front or back.
On the axle lines, mark two points that are 1/4" (6mm) away from each side. Insert one eye screw in each of the points.

Eye screws are used to hold the axles. Insert the axle and make sure it is level and it can spin freely. If necessary, adjust the eye screws.For the back wheels cut a space for the pulley before inserting the eye screws. Without cutting a space for the pulley, one wheel will stay out about 3/8" more than the other.

Cut some plastic tubes or straws and use them as the spacer in both sides. If you have metal washers, insert them between the straw pieces and the eye screws.

Insert the wheels. Wheels may be inserted while the axle is in position.You can also insert the axle into one wheel and then pass it through the eye screws.

At the end your simple car will look like this. You can use it the way it is or you can turn it over as shown in the picture bellow.

In the model shown here, the gears are built in the rear slicks (rear wheels). With plain wheels, you had to insert a pulley or gear in the same axle with one wheel.If you don't need to install pulleys or gears, continue with step 2.

To mount a pulley or gear next to one wheel, it is a good idea to cut some space for that on your chassis; otherwise, one wheel will stand out and your model will not have a symmetrical shape. The size of this space may vary depending on the size of your pulley or gear.(3/8" x 1 1/2" cut is shown in this example)

This is how a pulley or gear may be mounted beside one of the wheels. The pulley or gear must have a hole matching the axle diameter and must feet snugly. Some pulleys and gears require a plastic insert and some drilling in order to adapt the diameter of the axle you are using. After mounting, make sure that the wheels can spin freely. If necessary, mount a metal washer between the spacer and eye screws.

Other methods of mounting the axle

You may not have eye screws for mounting the axles. This is an alternate method for mounting wheels and axle.Insert the axle in one wheel, slide a washer onto it. Insert a 5 1/2" straw over it and finally insert another washer and another wheel.

Your final wheels and axle will look like this. Hold the straw and spin the wheels. Make sure the wheels can spin freely. If necessary, make some adjustments.

Cut 4 pieces of 2" (5cm) long wood strips and glue them about 1/5" (5mm) apart where you want to mount the axles.

Insert the axle in the space between the strips and secure them in place using some glue. Cover it with a strip of cardboard or heavy construction paper.

Note that the glue will touch the straw, not the axle. This is how the bottom of your car will look like after covering the axle holder with a strip of paper.

Step 2:

Mount the motor

Insert the small gear or pulley onto the motor's shaft. Place the motor on the self adhesive motor mount and strap it securely and snugly.

Place the motor on the car while the car is on a flat surface. Move it towards the gears until the gears engage. Mark the location of the motor. Avoid too much pressure on the gears because it will increase the friction and make it difficult for the car to move.

If you use pulleys to transmit force, motor must be mounted away from the pulley so that the rubber belt is slightly stretched.Carefully peal off the protective cover of the adhesive pad. Make sure you will not remove the adhesive pad itself. Place the motor where you already marked. Push it down firmly to stick in place.
Mount the rubber band belt between the wheel pulley and the motor pulley.

Step 3:

Mount the battery holder

Place the battery holder on the car, secure it in place with some glue. Connect the black wire of the battery holder directly to the motor. Connect the red wire of the battery holder to the switch, then connect another small piece of wire from the switch to the motor. Insert the batteries while the switch is open.

Test the car while it is still in your hands. Do the wheels spin? In what direction? If the wheels are spinning backward, switch the wires around on the motor. Place the car on a race track and test it. Does it run on the ground?

The final pulley motor car you make may be different based on the materials you use, the design implementation and additional decorations you may add.

Decoration may include wooden or cardboard pieces you can add or paints you may use.

Alternate Assembly Procedure for gear driven solar car
The following steps relate to the construction of the basic pulley motor vehicle. Steps relating to the completion of the propulsion systems are left to the student's discretion.

Make sure your kit contains the items listed.
Locate the grid planning sheet in the kit.
Using a pencil and ruler, design the body of the vehicle and propulsion system.
Remember, the lighter the vehicle's body, the further it will travel.
Show the drawing to the teacher when ready.
Locate the balsawood sheet from the kit
Transfer the vehicle body pattern to the balsawood.
Using the craft knife and straight-edge, carefully cut out the vehicle body.

Locate the straw from the kit. Also get scissors and glue gun.
Cut straw in half
Using the glue gun, attach the straws to the bottom of vehicle, one at each end (parallel to the end)
Locate the axles through each straw.
Push one wheel into each axle.
Insert and axle through each straw.
Carefully place the remaining wheel onto each axle.
Note: This completes construction of the basic solar vehicle.
Locate the solar cell Panel and the required parts for the propulsion system chosen gears, pulleys, propeller, or rubber band. (Gears are supplied, Pulleys and propellers are optional.
Assemble and attach the propulsion system as designed.
Finish your solar racer as desired using paint, markers, etc.
Race the assembled vehicle on a flat surface in a sunny day.

If you don't have this kit, you can order it now! It is available both as a single pack and class pack. Kit content may be different from the images shown in this page.

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

Gear Propulsion Solar Car

Introduction:MiniScience's Solar Racer activity introduces students to alternative energy concepts while incorporating problem solving, design and modeling. In addition, students will experience using hand tools as they construct their solar vehicle.

Students can explore:

Propulsion types and drive concepts
Basic soldering techniques and electronic concepts
Alternative energies like solar power

Teacher Preparation:During construction of the solar racer vehicle, students can experiment and comprehend methods of power transfer, soldering (optional), gear alignment and calculating gear ratios. It is up to the teacher to make sure this background information is provided to students in some manner.

Background
The federal government has encouraged alternative forms of transportation due to a limited supply of oil and increasing environmental pollution. Solar cars are just one of many transportation concepts emerging. Solar cars use solar cell panels instead of gasoline as the fuel. As a result, exhaust fumes and oil consumption are eliminated.
The solar cell panel generates an electrical charge that is stored in a battery and used to provide energy as the vehicle is driven. The lighter the vehicle, the less energy used and the farther the vehicle will travel. In cloudy days, or at night, energy can be drawn from reserve batteries. In the future, charge stations will be located on the road sides for quick battery charging.
Materials Checklist:
Before using the kit please make sure you have all the items listed below. This kit has the supplies to build at least one type of solar car model. Solar cars may be propelled using a pulley/ rubber band method or some types of interlocking gears.

Solar Cell
AC motor
Rear Slicks 1 9/16" diameter x 5/8" wide (1/2" wide for geared slicks)
Front Wheels 1 3/8" diameter
1/8" dowel for axles
Traction Bands (for non-geared slicks)
Eyelets or washers
Straw
Wood Sheet 5" x 2" x 3/32" (or larger, so you can cut to any size)
Basswood 5mm x 5mm x 20cm stick
Motor Mount (With straps if needed)
Procedure Sheet

Propulsion Systems:
Propulsion systems include using a solar cell and toy motor with a:

gear drive
Pulley and Rubber band drive

Advanced students are encouraged to experiment with different size pulleys, and gears if available.
Basic Tools Required
These items may be required to build the solar vehicle: (You can make your solar car model without them as well)

craft knife, used to cut or trim soft wood.
white glue, wood glue or glue gun
soldering Iron, needed if you need to solder wires.
Pliers, used to connect and twist wires together if needed
rulers, used for measurements
Pencil, used for marking

Safety Recommendations
During the construction of the solar vehicle, the following safety precautions should be observed.

Wear safety glasses
Use care with sharp cutting blades
Avoid touching the tip of the glue gun or soldering gun
Put safety first

Competition Categories
Competition between students can be based on design, drawings, final appearance, distance-traveled, speed, etc.
Races can be held between cars that have similar or different types of propulsion Systems.
In addition, teachers could implement a problem-solving category for advanced or older students. Teachers would provide students with the solar racer kit then instruct students to make use of additional materials in the classroom to construct a customized solar vehicle. additional items could include wood scraps, stickers, paint, CD, colored wheels and more. How elaborate or complex the solar cars are depends on imagination and resources.

Solar car for an experimental science project

Solar car may also be used in an experimental science project with question, hypothesis and a results table and chart .
A good question for this project is: How does the angle of solar panel in relation to the sunlight affect the performance of the car?
Hypothesis: The answer you guess for the above question will be your hypothesis.
This is an important question because we can use the result in designing real solar cars. If the angle of the solar panel is important, cars must be designed so that the driver or an automated system can change the angle of the solar panel. If the angle is not important, then the solar panel may be mounted horizontally on the roof of the car.
Experiment:
In a sunny day, around noon time take your solar car outside on a smooth flat surface. Initially adjust the solar panel to be horizontal. Place the car on the flat surface and record the distance it drives per second. That will be the speed.
Then change the angle of the solar panel so that it will have a right angle with the sunlight. Repeat your test again and record the speed again.
Report the sunlight exposure angle in which your solar car had the highest speed.
Make a graph:
You can also make a bar graph with one vertical bar for each of the angles you test. The height of each bar will be the speed of your solar car in that angle.
More detail instructions for construction of the solar car are available HERE.

You can buy the solar car materials in a kit. It is available both as a single pack and class pack. Kit content may be different from the images shown in this page.

All the content published in this blog is only for personal use and not to be used in any other way.

Source: www.scienceproject.com

The Gauss Rifle:
A Magnetic Linear Accelerator

The Gauss Rifle also known as the Gaussian gun is a very simple experiment that uses a magnetic chain reaction to launch a steel marble at a target at high speed. This educational and amusing project is very simple to build (it only takes a few minutes), is is very simple to understand and explain, and yet fascinating to watch and to use.The movie in the right shows a sample of the gauss rifle in action. In the beginning, a steel ball starts rolling towards a magnet taped to a plastic rail. As soon as the rolling ball hits the magnet, another ball in the opposite side is launched and leaves the device at a very high speed.
A good Science Project
The Magnetic Accelerator makes a good science project because you can easily have a question, define variables, propose a hypothesis, and run scientific experiments about it.

You can also have a results table and graph and the presentation is exciting. Everyone loves to see a stationary ball that suddenly moves at fast speed without any visible cause for that.All instructions are available online.
What are the materials?
The materials are simple. We need a straight path or rail in which balls can roll easily. Any piece of wood, plastic, aluminum or brass with a groove will work. A wooden ruler that has a groove in the top is a good choice because it is easy to find around the house or at school or at a local stationery store. Another option is using two wood dowels or rods or copper pipes placed side by side.
If you are making a rail using two wood dowels, temporarily connect them to each other using clear adhesive tape, then use wood glue to glue them to each other from one side. Use a paper towel to remove excess glue and allow the glue dry for a few hours. When the glue is dry, you can remove the adhesive tapes. Use the unglued side as the rail.

We need about four strong magnets. I suggest super strong cylindrical magnets (such as N35.500.500) with the same diameter as the steel balls. Cylindrical magnets can easily sit in the grove and can easily be secured in place.
We need some sticky tape. Again, almost any kind will do. Here we use Scotch brand transparent tape, but vinyl electrical tape works just as well.
We will also need nine steel balls, with a diameter that is a close match to the diameter of the magnets. We use 1/2 inch diameter nickel plated steel balls.

The only tool you will need is a sharp knife for trimming the tapes. (Optional). If you want to trim the tapes, be careful, since the knife will be strongly attracted to the magnets.Where to buy?
You can save time and buy all materials in a simple kit. All kits include both the super strong magnets and matching steel balls in addition to the rail (or wood dowels for making the rail).
Additional materials you will need include adhesive tape and glue.

Procedure:
Start by taping the first magnet to the rail at the 2.5 inch mark. The distance is somewhat arbitrary -- we wanted to get all four magnets on a one foot rail. Feel free to experiment with the spacing later. If you are not using a ruler as the rail, then you can estimate the distances or measure them to ensure you are using the recommended distance.
It is very important that you keep the magnets from jumping together. They are made of a brittle sintered material that shatters like a ceramic. Tape the ruler to the table temporarily, so that it doesn't jump up to the next magnet as you tape the second magnet to the ruler.

Continue taping the magnets to the ruler, leaving 2.5 inches between the magnets.
When all four magnets are taped to the ruler, it is time to load the gauss rifle with the balls.

To the right of each magnet, place two steel balls. Arrange a target to the right of the device, so the ball does not roll down the street and get lost.
To fire the gauss rifle, set a steel ball in the groove to the left of the leftmost magnet. Let the ball go. If it is close enough to the magnet, it will start rolling by itself, and hit the magnet.

When the gauss rifle fires, it will happen too fast to see. The ball on the right will shoot away from the gun, and hit the target with considerable force. Our one foot long version is designed so the speed is not enough to hurt someone, and you can use your hand or foot as a target.

How does it do that?

When you release the first ball, it is attracted to the first magnet. It hits the magnet with a respectable amount of force, and a kinetic energy we will call "1 unit".
The kinetic energy of the ball is transferred to the magnet, and then to the ball that is touching it on the right, and then to the ball that is touching that one. This transfer of kinetic energy is familiar to billiards players -- when the cue ball hits another ball, the cue ball stops and the other ball speeds off.
The third ball is now moving with a kinetic energy of 1 unit. But it is moving towards the second magnet. It picks up speed as the second magnet pulls it closer. When it hits the second magnet, it is moving nearly twice as fast as the first ball.
The third ball hits the magnet, and the fifth ball starts to move with a kinetic energy of 2 units. It speeds up as it nears the third magnet, and hits with of 3 units of kinetic energy. This causes the seventh ball to speed off towards the last magnet. As it gets drawn to the last magnet, it speeds up to 4 units of kinetic energy.
The kinetic energy is now transferred to the last ball, which speeds off at 4 units, to hit the target.

Another way of looking at the mechanism

When the device is all set up and ready to be triggered, we can see that there are four balls that are touching their magnets. These balls are at what physicists call the "ground state". It takes energy to move them away from the magnets.

But each of these balls has another ball touching it. These second balls are not at the ground state. They are each 1/2 of an inch from a magnet. They are easier to move than the balls that are touching the magnet.
If we were to take a ball that was touching a magnet, and pull it away from the magnet until it was 1/2 of an inch away, we would be adding energy to the ball. The ball would be pulling towards the magnet with some considerable force. We could get the energy back by letting the ball go.
After the gauss rifle has fired, the situation is different. Now each of the balls is touching a magnet. There is one ball on each side of each magnet. Each ball is in its ground state, and has given up the energy that was stored by being 1/2 of an inch from a magnet. That energy has gone into the last ball, which uses it to destroy the target.

Speed and kinetic energy

The kinetic energy of an object is defined as half its mass times the square of its velocity. As each magnet pulls on a ball, it adds kinetic energy to the ball linearly.
But the speed does not add up linearly. If we have 4 magnets, the kinetic energy is 4, but the speed goes up as the square root of the kinetic energy. As we add more magnets, the speed goes up by a smaller amount each time. But the distance the ball will roll, and the damage it causes to what it hits, is a function of the kinetic energy, and thus a function of how many magnets we use.
We can keep scaling up the gun until the kinetic energy gets so high that the last magnet is shattered by the impact. After that, adding more magnets will not do much good.

If you don't have this kit, you can order it now! It is available both as a single pack and class pack. Kit content may be different from the images shown in this page.

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Starch Experiment
State the Problem:
What foods or vegetables contain starch?
Research the Problem:
Before we start, we need to know more about starch. Studies show that starch is white, odorless, tasteless carbohydrate powder soluble in cold water. This information will help us extract starch from our samples for more accurate tests. If we have any colorful fruit or vegetables for test, we can eliminate the chance of mixed colors and inaccurate tests. Starch also plays a vital role in the biochemistry of both plants and animals. It is made in green plants by photosynthesis, and is one of the main forms in which plants store food. Animals obtain starch from plants and store it as glycogen. Both plants and animals convert starch to glucose when energy is needed. Commercially, starch is made chiefly from corn and potatoe.
Hypothesis:
Starch is a substance in most fruits and vegetables, which means that it is most likely in the vegetable and fruit samples. Since starch is an inexpensive and widely available food product, it is being used as a food additive in many food products.
Experiment:
In order to perform this project, we must use Iodine solution as a reagent for starch. One drop of this solution on any sample can detect starch by changing the color of the tested area to dark blue.
We will be using the following samples:

Fruits and Vegetables	Food Products
Rice	Milk
Potatoes	Yogurt
Grains	Ice Cream
Apples	Macaroni
Carrots	Nuts
Broccoli	Cereal

Materials Used:
Procedure: We crush the wet samples, add cold or room temperature water and filter the solution to get a clear liquid. Next, test the samples of the clear liquid for starch and record the result.
Analyze Data:

Order The Starch Test Kit Now

Double Helix DNA Model

Making a model is the best way for learning about the elements of a DNA molecule. You can use your model as a separate school project or as an addition to any DNA related science project.A well constructed model enhances your display and results a higher level of attention to your presentation.
The model described here is the same model suggested in ScienceProject.com for DNA related science fair projects.

Material: To construct a DNA model you will need the following material:

Styrofoam balls (about 100)
Double end toothpicks (75)
Wooden or metal laboratory stand
Brushes for painting the balls
Additional material such as paint or water color, glue, string.

You may purchase all the required material separately from different local stores or you may prefer to order a kit; however, you should know that kits do not come with paint and glue.

You may already have white glue and water color at home. If not, you may purchase paints and glues from any local hardware store or paint store.
DNA model kit comes with 100 white balls that you must paint them with any water based or latex paint. (paint is not included)
A kit also contains a base and a column that together form a stand for your DNA model.
A stand makes it easier for your model to be transported from home to school or your science fair.
Kit also includes brush and matching toothpicks for the balls.
Instructions:
This is a short instruction. If you purchase a kit, please use the URL or web address provided in the kit to access a more comprehensive instruction and tutorial for making your DNA model.

Decide what colors you want to use for small molecules forming each large DNA molecule. The model shown above is based on colors suggested in the kit instructions; however, you may select any other colors for the balls. Paint all the balls and let them dry. Depending on the paint it may take up to 24 hours for paints to dry.
Assemble your stand if it is not already done. A wooden stand is proffered for your model because of lighter weight.

Start from the base and connect the molecules to each other using toothpicks. The large DNA molecule must wrap around the stand's column.
For the first row make a pair of C-G (Cytosine-Guanine). Add the phosphates to the backbone and then assemble the second row that again can be C-G or A-T (Adenine-Thymine).
Continue the ladder until you run out of balls.
Note that in constructing the DNA model, we used one ball for each small molecule forming the DNA polymer.
You may use the same balls as atoms to make models of models of different chemicals.

Image in the left shows a molecule of Acetone. White balls are Hydrogen. Black balls are carbon, Red ball is Oxygen (connected with two bonds)Image on the right is a molecule of Benzene.

You can order a materials kit for DNA Model. In addition to the kit you will need some water color or water based paints to paint the balls.

Make Electricity from fruits

Introduction:
This project is one of the most famous electricity projects that can be performed successfully by most students in the age of 10 to 16. It helps students to learn about producing electrical energy using chemical energy. Since the same method is used to get energy from many fruits and chemicals, this project has many names. Following are some of the other names or titles for this project:

Fruit power or fruit battery
Convert Chemical energy to electrical energy
Potato battery or Lemon battery

Procedure:
Making electricity from chemicals is based on the same scientific principles on which all modern batteries work. You insert copper and zinc electrodes in an acidic liquid and produce some electricity from the chemical reaction between your electrodes and electrolyte.

The electricity produced in this way can be displayed with a multi-meter that can show millivolts. It may also be able to produce enough electricity to get light. If you want to run or light up a device you must consider the voltage and current requirements of that device. Picture in the right shows 3 potato batteries connected in series so together they will produce enough voltage to light up a super bright LED type light source.

Making electricity experiment can be used for many different science projects. Following are some additional research that you can perform in relation to making electricity from fruits and chemicals.

1. Experiment to see which fruits can produce electricity.	4. Replace electrodes of your kit with other metals such as coins, nails to see which other metals can be used as electrodes.
2. Experiment to see which fruit juices can produce electricity	5. Test to see if such electrodes can light up a bulb.
3. Experiment to see which other liquids such as detergents and drinks can produce electricity.	6. If you have access to a multi meter, check to see how many volts electricity is being produced by fruits.

Material and equipment:Material and equipment that you need for this project are:

Copper Electrode
Zinc Electrode
Multi-meter capable of measuring low voltages
Flashlight light bulb 1.2 Volts
Screw Base or socket for light bulb
Wires
Alligator clips
Board for mounting the base and the bulb (optional)

You can purchase the material locally from a hardware store or buy it online. Make electricity science kit of MiniScience.com contains all the above material

Make electricity Kit: $28
When your science project is making electricity, the biggest challenge is to see the product of small amount of electricity that you produce. Make electricity kit can make it easy for you to complete your project.

Make electricity science kit contains all material that you need in order to successfully experiment making electricity by a chemical reaction. Some chemicals are harmful and dangerous! that's why we recommend you to use household chemicals such as acetic acid (Vinegar), baking soda, fruits and fruit juice.
WARNING
This kit contains small and sharp objects. keep it out of reach of small children. Adult supervision is required.
The purpose of this science kit is to simplify the process of finding and purchasing material that you need for your experiments.

Analog Multimeter does NOT need battery in order to test voltage and current. You will need a battery to test the resistance.

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Miniature Socket	Copper and Zinc electrodes	Multi tester or Multi meter
Base board	Color Coded Leads	Screws
LED	Online Instructions	Miniature Bulb 1.2V

Warranty:
If any of the parts in this kit are defective, return it to us within 7 days from the date of purchase and we will repair or replace it for you at no charge.

Additional Materials Required: Additional Materials Required for your experiments can be found at home or purchased locally. Some of these material are:

Plastic or ceramic cup
Fruits for test

Opportunities for Science Fair Projects
Experiment to see which fruits and liquids that you can find at home can produce enough electricity detectable by multi-meter. Will that electricity be enough to light up a light bulb?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Gauss Rifle: A Magnetic Linear Accelerator

How does it do that?

Another way of looking at the mechanism

Speed and kinetic energy

The Gauss Rifle:
A Magnetic Linear Accelerator