Intel science fair

A forum for educators who are organizing and/or running a school or local science fair, working with in-class science projects or assignments, and other STEM issues.

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RRpunjwani
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:34 am
Occupation: Student: 11th grade
Project Question: Energy solutions
Project Due Date: 30 Aug 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Intel science fair

Post by RRpunjwani »

Want some more ideas.
Our group has gone through the idea that if we place somethng in vaccum it continues to be in motion so we have an idea to use that phenomenon in generating energy .. Can it be possible?
theborg
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Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Intel science fair

Post by theborg »

RRpunjwani,

Welcome to Science Buddies, and thank you for your question. Can you please explain what you mean by something continues to be in motion in placed in a vacuum? What object are you considering and what vacuum? Do you mean to create a vacuum inside a container or are you referencing the vacuum of outer space?

Any object on Earth moving through the atmosphere (or a fluid of any given density) will experience aerodynamic drag to some degree. This is friction generated from the interaction of the surface of your object with air/fluid molecules moving around it, slowing and eventually stopping any motion unless counteracted by another force equal to or greater than the drag force. A vacuum is defined as a volume devoid of matter, including air. If an object were to be placed in a theoretically perfect vacuum, aerodynamic drag forces would be zero and any force applied to cause motion would not be counteracted by drag. The vacuum itself doesn’t apply a force to cause or continue motion. If you are considering, say a fly wheel placed in a vacuum tank and somehow set up to spin and supply electricity, the aerodynamic drag forces are actually quite small compared to the magnetic drag on an electromagnetic generator or the mechanical friction from belts, pulleys, bearings, etc...

However, it would be an interesting science experiment to determine how much efficiency, if any, can be gained by placing a generator in a vacuum. Please provide greater detail of your experiment so we can give better advice.
Hope this helps.

theborg
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debra123
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2014 11:21 pm
Occupation: Special Education Teacher.
Project Question: I love to have discussion on Science.
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Re: Intel science fair

Post by debra123 »

I love to go to Intel science fairs.
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