Science fair project

Ask questions about projects relating to: aerodynamics or hydrodynamics, astronomy, chemistry, electricity, electronics, physics, or engineering

Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
deleted-650945
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:51 am
Occupation: Student

Science fair project

Post by deleted-650945 »

Hi, I have a science fair project where i am making a magnet generator. I know i could use a voltmeter to collect data, but how do i collect it. Help me please...
norman40
Former Expert
Posts: 1022
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:49 pm
Occupation: retired chemist
Project Question: Volunteer
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Science fair project

Post by norman40 »

Hi,

The Science Buddies project at the following link may be useful to you. It describes how to build and test a generator.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... lectricity

An LED is used in this project to demonstrate that the generator produces electricity. You can test the voltage from the generator if you have a voltmeter capable of accurately measuring alternating current. If not, you may want to try the LED test technique described in the project.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman
deleted-650945
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:51 am
Occupation: Student

Re: Science fair project

Post by deleted-650945 »

Hello,
Thank you for the option, but my partner and i have already made our generator and we have prototype. We were wondering how should we collect the data. We're using 3 different light bulbs and calculating how many volts the generator produces for the light bulb to light up. I was wondering how should we set up our data? Our teacher wants us to have qualitative data in a chart.
norman40
Former Expert
Posts: 1022
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:49 pm
Occupation: retired chemist
Project Question: Volunteer
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Science fair project

Post by norman40 »

Hi,

What is the independent variable in your experiment?

One way to tabulate (or chart) your data is to show the results you measured (voltage or number of bulbs lit) at each setting of the independent variable. For example, you might turn the generator at 3 different speeds and test the voltage at each speed. These results could be shown in a table or a bar chart.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman
deleted-650945
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:51 am
Occupation: Student

Re: Science fair project

Post by deleted-650945 »

Our independent variable are the light bulbs and the dependent variables are the number of volts.
norman40
Former Expert
Posts: 1022
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:49 pm
Occupation: retired chemist
Project Question: Volunteer
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Science fair project

Post by norman40 »

Hi,

Based on your previous post it seems that you're using the light bulbs as a way to estimate the voltage from the generator. If that is the case then the lights are not the independent variable.

An independent variable is something you change to observe a response in the dependent variable. More detailed information about variables is available at the following link:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... evariables

In your experiment an independent variable would be something about the generator that you change with the expectation of finding a different voltage output.

The Science Buddies project that I referenced earlier includes such a change to the generator and there are other changes that you might research and consider as an independent variable. This project also has a data table that you could use “as-is” or adapt for use in your project.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman
Locked

Return to “Grades 9-12: Physical Science”