Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,

It has been a while since my last science fair project, but it's a new school year and there is another Science Fair Project!

My new science fair project is sort of a continuation of of last year's project, Solar Cars. This year I am researching, "How TO convert solar
energy into electricity?" The main point of my project is to find out how solar energy is converted and to design a solar house.

I have done a lot of research already, but I really couldn't find any good books on how to convert the solar energy, so if anyone can help me to
find at least 3 good written sources then that would be great!

Thanks a lot!

Hi,

I can’t recommend any specific books, but here is a site with a lot of titles listed:

http://www.grinningplanet.com/environme ... -books.htm

http://www.questia.com/library/science- ... -power.jsp

http://energybible.com/solar_energy/Books.html

http://books.google.com/books?q=solar+energy

http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/ ... rgy&pos=-1

Here is a prior question on the topic:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... =29&t=4470

Here is a Science Buddies project on your topic - check out the bibliography section for recommended resources.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml


Ypu really should have no trouble at all finding lots or resources on this topic!

Best of luck on your project!

Barrett Tomlinson

Thank you a lot Mr. Barretttomlinson,

All the websites you have given me for books and other information has really helped me a lot.
The websites you have given me has also helped me lead to other websites that has more information.

I know that there is a lot of information on solar energy, but I am trying to find information on how is solar energy
converted to electricity, then going into appliances into the house. Or how does a house with a solar panel work.
It doesn't have to be exact, but at least similar, because for me it has been hard to find.

Thank you so much.

Hi Tomboy - I think you'll get additional help and information if we move your topic to the Physical Sciences forums. It's not in the right location behind here in Math and Computer Science.

Also, this Science Buddies' project idea contains some background information on how solar energy is converted to electricity. After reviewing this, please post in this thread with specific questions you may have.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p004.shtml

Amy
Science Buddies

You might start by looking at how some of the solar powered yard lights work. These are much simpler because they run on low voltage direct current. They basically charge a battery using a solar cell during the day and then run the lights at night of the battery. The larger units used to supply small amounts of household current (alternating current) have another stage where the DC voltage/current stored in the battery is sent through something called an inverter to produce AC current. This is similar to how some battery backup units used to keep computers operational for short periods when the power grid is lost. If you read up on those units as well, you will get the rest of how it is done.

Thank you so much,

The yard lights really helped me to understand more about how a solar house works.

I have another question, If I am doing more of a research question, then how do I determine
my independent and controlled variables?

Thank you.

Hi!
I would first suggest checking out the ScienceBuddies Project Guide that explains a lot about how to deal with variables and such-
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... bles.shtml
If you still have questions, please let us know! Best of luck.

Thank you,

I figured out all my variables and was able to use it to figure out all my other factors.

Now, my teacher has asked me to start citing my sources in APA style and I found a really good website to help me, but I need
help trying to find the exact way just to cite a website. Also what if the website doesn't list all the information I need to be
included in the citation. I hope you can help me.

The website I have is below:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Hi:

That web site you provided is excellent! It seems to me that it does provide the information you're looking for. For example, here is the suggestion for a general web page:

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of document. Retrieved from http://Web address

It further says:

if there isn't a date available for the document use (n.d.) for no date.

That's a pretty minimal set of information that you should be able to provide for just about any web page
Keith

Normally, for a website you also put the date you were able to access it. For example:

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of document. Retrieved from http://Web address (Accessed October 26, 2009)

Your teacher may require the date you accessed the web page. I would ask. It is helpful to know how old the link is, because if you accessed the webpage years ago, it would make more sense if the page is gone (the web changes rapidly).

Thank you,

I was able to do the bibliography great!, but now I have to do a research paper.

My teacher requires me to have an abstract and a section called the background research.
I am having a little trouble differentiating what needs to be included in each of those sections.

So, if anyone could help with that I would be very grateful.

Look at this page, it will have everything you need to complete the entire report:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... l?From=Tab

Just look at the left sections under "How to do a science fair project"

A summary of the report is at the bottom of that section. It should also talk about abstracts.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Thank you so much!

I had check there first for help on my Research Paper, but I guess I overlooked and didn't see that section.
I had seen other samples, but the section you have just showed me helped me a lot! That was just what I
was looking for and I had finished my Research Paper today. It helped me a lot!

Thank you for helping me over the details and not any samples that I might not understant. Thank
you Amber, I hope you will help me again.