Solar Energy/Cars/Electricity

how solar energy works

: Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight to direct current (DC) electricity. The inverter converts DC into alternating current electricity. The electrical panel sends power to your lights and appliances. The utility meter measures the energy you draw and feed back to the grid.

axle

: a bar or shaft on which a wheel turns

photovoltaic cell

: a cell that converts solar energy into electrical energy

electric circuits

: a closed path or loop around which an electric current flows. it is usually made by linking electrical components together with pieces of wire cable. in a flashlight, there's a circuit, lamp, & battery linked by a copper wire. when switch is turned on, electricity flows around the circuit. if there is a break anywhere in the circuit, electricity cannot flow. if one of the wires is broken, the lamp will not light. if the switch is turned off, no electricity can flow. a switch is sometimes called a circuit breaker. there is a circuit formed between a storm cloud and the Earth by the air in between. if there is a big enough electrical charge in the cloud, it can create charged particles in the air called ions.

wire strippers

: a hardware tool used to strip covering off of wires

voltage

: a kind of electrical force that makes electricity move through a wire and move we measure it in volts. the larger it is, the bigger the current.

electrical circuit

: a pathway that permits electrons to move in a complete circle from their source

electricity

: a type of energy that can build up in one place or flow from one place to another.

conductors

: are materials such as copper metal that conduct electricity. allow electricity to flow freely.

motor mount

: attaches the motor to the frame

motor

: changes electrical energy to mechanical energy which powers the car

toggle switch

: controls the flow of electricity from the solar panel to the motor

insulator

: doesn't allow electricity to flow or pass through

current electricity

: electricity that moves from one place to another; it travels; when electrons move, it carries the electrical energy from one place to another.

current electricity: how it works

: examples of it: lightning bolts, washing machines, phones. it's like kinetic energy. it powers flashlights, and when the flashlight turns on, the battery supplies energy to the lamp, and from the time it's on, energy transfers from the battery to the lamp. over time, the energy stored in the battery is turned into light.

chassis

: framework of a car to which components are attached

current

: is what moves through the wire in a circuit: a steady flow of electricity, measured in amperes (amps)

disadvantages of solar power

: it doesn't work at night, very expensive to build solar power stations, solar cells cost a great deal compared to the amount of electricity they'll produce in their lifetime, unreliable unless in a very sunny climate.

advantages of solar power

: it's free, it needs no fuel, produces no waste or pollution, it can be used (esp. in sunny climates) to get electricity to remote places, handy for low power uses (like garden lights and battery chargers)

rubber bands

: provides traction for the wheels

solar cells

: really called photovoltaic or photoelectric cells, can convert light directly into electricity

landing gear straps

: secures axles and bearing tubes to chassis

renewable

: solar power is this. the sun will keep on shining anyway, so it makes sense to use it

dura-collars

: stabilizes the wheels

balsa wood

: strong lightweight wood of the balsa tree used for the frame or chassis of the car

wheels

: support the chassis and allows the car to roll forward

bearing tube

: supports axle while still allowing the wheels to turn

kinetic energy

: the energy an object has because of its motion. example: when a car is rolling down a hill, its potential energy changes to this.

potential energy

: the stored energy an object has because of its position or state. example: a car at the top of a hill has it, since it has the ability to to roll down the hill in the future.

gears

: transfers power from the motor to the wheels

wire caps

: used to connect two or more wires together

angle square

: used to draw straight lines or mark angles in construction work

x-acto knife

: utility knife designed for making precision cuts

power

: voltage and current give you this

static electricity

: when electricity gathers in one place. it means something that doesn't move.

solar power

: when light falls on a solar cell, the silicon captures the light's energy and turns it into electricity

wind turbines

: wind turns a propeller, which spins a generator inside, and makes a current of electricity