Experimental Diagram: By Lane Ellens, Jacob Walters and Andrew Haan

Question: How does the distance away from a light affect the amount of energy obtained through it?

Hypothesis: If the light is closer, then more energy will be obtained because the density of the light
energy is greater.

Data:
Distance 40 35 30 25 20 45
from light
(cm) and
how many
revolutions
(in 10
seconds)
Trial 1 23 27 33 40 45 17
Trial 2 20 29 34 39 47 17
Trial 3 24 26 37 42 46 15
Average 22.3 27.3 34.6 40.3 46 16.33

Controlled Variables:
1: Same Lamp
2: Same Engine
3: Same Solar Panel
4: Same Fan
5: Same Person Counting

Materials Needed:
1: Solar Panel w/ cables
2: Engine
3: A 3 inch cardboard fan blade
4: Person to count the revolutions
5: Light

Procedure: Attach the 3 inch fan blade onto the engine so it is free to spin easily. Attach each cable end
of the solar panel to the engine. Hold the engine in your hand or secure somewhere so that the fan blade
doesn't naturally want to tilt a specific way. Shine the light at the testing distance away and count the
revolutions. Record this data and repeat for as many trials and distances as wanted.
Graph:

Conclusion: Our data supports our hypothesis because as we got closer the number of revolutions
increased meaning there was more energy going to the motor. For example, as shown on the graph
when the light was 45cm away there were very fewer revolutions as when the light was 20cm away. If
we re-did this experiment we would rather of had a longer fan blade so it would be easier to count,
because it was difficult to count at the high of speeds the fan was reaching with some distances.