Writers Den

Read “Lab 4: Energy Sources and Alternative
Energy.” This lab will allow you to investigate the effects of acid mine
drainage through experimentation. Additionally, it will allow for the
exploration of solar energy through the use of a solar cell motor. Then, you
will utilize this information and your eSciencelab kit to complete
Experiments 1 and 2 on the Week Four Lab Reporting Form. Make sure to
complete all of the following items before submission:

1. Read
through introductory material.

2. Perform
Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining using youreSciencelab manual
and kit.

3. Complete
Table 1 and answer the Post Lab Questions 1 through 4 in complete sentences on
the Week Four Lab Reporting Form.

4. Perform
Experiment 2: Solar Energy using youreSciencelab manual and kit.

5. Complete
Table 2 and answer Post Lab Questions 1 through 5 in complete sentences on the
Week Four Lab Reporting Form.

Lab 4 – Energy Sources and Alternative Energy

Experiment 1: The Effects of Coal Mining

Table 1: pH of Water Samples
Water Sample	Initial pH	Final pH (after 48 hours)
Pyrite
Activated Carbon
Water

POST LAB
QUESTIONS

1. Develop
hypotheses predicting the effect of pyrite and coal (activated carbon) on the
acidity of water?

a. Pyrite
hypothesis =

b. Coal
(activated carbon) hypothesis =

2. Based on
the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that
you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.

a. Pyrite
hypothesis accept/reject =

b. Coal
(activated carbon) hypothesis accept/reject =

3. Based on
your data, what effect do you predict coal mining has on the environment?

Answer =

4. What can
be done to prevent mine drainage from damaging the ecosystem? Utilize at
least one scholarly resource to support your suggestions.

Answer =

Experiment 2: Solar Energy

Table 2: Solar Energy Experiment Results
Environmental Descriptor/Variable	Observations (Each should be compared against direct sunlight)
Weather of the Day
Motor speed in direct sunlight
Motor speed at 45 degree angle
Motor speed under reflectors
Motor speed with 25% shaded
Motor speed with 50% shaded
Motor speed with 75% shaded
Motor speed under red filtration
Motor speed under blue filtration
Motor speed under green filtration
Motor speed under yellow filtration

Post-Lab
Questions

1. Develop
hypotheses predicting the efficiency of solar energy from direct sunlight
against the four variables tested?

Direct vs
indirect hypothesis =

Direct vs
reflected hypothesis =

Direct vs
shaded hypothesis =

Direct vs
filtered hypothesis =

2. Based on
the results of your experiment, would you reject or accept each hypothesis that
you produced in question 1? Explain how you determined this.

Direct vs indirect accept/reject =

Direct vs reflected accept/reject =

Direct vs shaded accept/reject =

Direct vs filtered accept/reject =

3. Does
increased exposure to the sun’s light produce more current? Explain how you
know this based on your data.

Answer =

4. How could
you increase the electricity generated by a solar cell during the day, when the
sun’s angle is constantly changing?

Answer =

5. Based on
your data, could adding filters to solar panels increase the solar energy
produced? Explain how you know this.

Answer =

References