Climate Crisis: Implementing Solutions Lab
A twelve-experiment laboratory introducing DC electricity, greenhouse-gas effects, solar and wind generation, battery storage, efficient lighting, motors, renewable-energy economics, and indoor hydroponic farming through simulation, calculation, and hands-on measurement.
Objectives
- Apply voltage, current, resistance, power, energy, Ohm's law, and series-parallel circuit relationships in simulation and hardware.
- Measure the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide and interpret temperature data from a controlled experiment.
- Estimate battery internal resistance from measured terminal voltage and load current.
- Construct photovoltaic and wind-generator I-V curves and identify each source's maximum power point.
- Explain photovoltaic series and parallel connections, shading effects, and the purpose of bypass diodes.
- Evaluate the financial and environmental implications of rooftop solar and community solar-garden participation.
- Compare resistive and pulse-width-modulated LED dimming and relate their operation to energy efficiency.
- Determine the voltage and torque constants of a DC motor-generator through measurement.
- Set up, maintain, harvest, and evaluate an indoor hydroponic lettuce system using LED grow lights.
Photos
Equipment
LabQuest Mini
Vernier
Surface Temperature Sensor
Vernier
Photogate
Vernier
Vernier Energy Sensor
Vernier
High-Torque Generator with Wires
Vernier
KidWind Nacelle
Vernier
KidWind Wind Turbine Generator with Wires
Vernier
Experiments
Description: Begin the semester-long hydroponics activity by preparing an indoor lettuce-growing system with nutrient solution, aeration, and LED grow lights.
Description: Compare temperature measurements in otherwise similar environments with and without added carbon dioxide to investigate the greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, and global warming.
Description: Use a browser-based circuit simulator to study voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's law, and equivalent resistance for series and parallel combinations.
Description: Measure voltage and current under controlled loads, calculate electrical power and energy, and estimate the internal resistance of AA and 9 V batteries.
Description: Measure a photovoltaic panel over a range of loads, construct its I-V characteristic, and locate the maximum power point under different light conditions.
Description: Compare photovoltaic panels connected in series and parallel, investigate shading, and explain how bypass diodes protect series-connected cells.
Description: Use the supplied calculator to size a rooftop photovoltaic system and evaluate energy production, cost, payback, incentives, and environmental benefit.
Description: Use the supplied calculator to study how a community solar subscription changes electricity costs and expands access to renewable generation.
Description: Compare resistive dimming with pulse-width-modulated electronic dimming and examine safe, efficient LED operation. This experiment uses bright, flashing lights and requires appropriate accommodation for photosensitive participants.
Description: Operate a DC machine as a motor and generator, measure speed and torque, and determine its voltage and torque constants.
Description: Measure a wind-turbine generator across operating points, construct its I-V and power curves, find maximum power, and calculate rotor speed and tip-speed ratio.
Description: Harvest and weigh the hydroponically grown lettuce, calculate its cost per gram, and compare the result with grocery-store produce.