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Abstract Solar cells are an alternative method for generating electricity directly from sunlight. With this project, you can get down to the atomic level and learn about the world of solid-state electronics as you investigate how solar cells work. Your experiment will measure the effect of changing light intensity on power output from the solar cell. A possible variation would be to investigate the effect of changing the color of the light.Objective The goal of this experiment is to determine how changes in incoming light intensity affect the output of solar cells. Introduction Solar cells are electronic devices that can transform light energy into an electric current. Solar cells are semiconductor devices, meaning that they have properties that are intermediate between a conductor and an insulator. When light of the right wavelength shines on the semiconductor material of a solar cell, the light creates a flow of electrons. Small solar cells, like the one used in this project, can be used in circuits to charge batteries, power a calculator, or light an LED. In this project, you'll use the solar cell to power an LED. You'll use a digital multimeter to measure the current flowing through the LED when the solar cell is illuminated by light bulbs with different levels of light output (and different wattages). How will the current produced vary as the intensity of the light falling on the solar cell increases? Terms, Concepts, and Questions to Start Background Research To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:
Questions
Bibliography
Materials and Equipment To do this experiment you will need the following materials and equipment:
Disclaimer: Science Buddies occasionally provides information (such as part numbers, supplier names, and supplier weblinks) to assist our users in locating specialty items for individual projects. The information is provided solely as a convenience to our users. We do our best to make sure that part numbers and descriptions are accurate when first listed. However, since part numbers do change as items are obsoleted or improved, please send us an email if you run across any parts that are no longer available. We also do our best to make sure that any listed supplier provides prompt, courteous service. Science Buddies receives no consideration, financial or otherwise, from suppliers for these listings. (The sole exception is any Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com link.) If you have any comments (positive or negative) related to purchases you've made for science fair projects from recommendations on our site, please let us know. Write to us at scibuddy@sciencebuddies.org. Experimental Procedure
Variations
Credits Andrew Olson, Ph.D., Science Buddies Sources This project is based on:
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