Why are Photovoltaic Cells Black?

The dark color reduces the amount of photons reflected. Photons that are not absorbed by the panel cannot be used to produce electricity.

What are Photovoltaic Cells Made From?

Silicon is the major material in the cells. Pure silicon crystals are poor conductors of electricity. Other elements are added to the silicon, such as, phosphorus and boron. When the energy from the sun hits the cell, the electrons in the elements begin to move around. The sun causes the panel to have a positive and negative side. This electrical difference causes electrons to flow through a diode.

What Factors Affect the Production of a Solar Cell?

The factors that most affect the production of a solar cells are the angle of the panel in relation to the sun, the peak wattage, the light intensity and the hours of sun exposure.

How is Wattage (or Power) Calculated?

The formula for power is   Power=Current X Voltage. Power is measured in watts, current in amperes and voltage in volts.

The Solar Science Kit has a small motor, photovoltaic cell and disc that works well in demonstrating this in a classroom or home setting.

This post takes a look at the Hydro-Splitter Kit offered by Heath Scientific. The Hydro-Splitter Kit is a science fair project for kids that educates them about electricity and the electrolysis of water.

Other projects similar to the Hydro-Splitter are also available from the Heath Scientific website. The website offers science supplies as well as other science projects cover a wide range of topics from carbon to light and optics kits. These kits offer a cost effective way for parents to enrich their children’s minds while having fun at the same time.

General Information

Water is made up of twice as many hydrogen molecules as oxygen molecules; this is why the chemical formula is H2O. Electricity breaks this formula down when introduced into water. The molecules split with hydrogen appearing at the cathode and the oxygen will mix with one hydrogen molecule making hydroxide.

Supplies Needed

- 1 Beaker
- 2 Carbon Rod Electrodes
- 1 Acid/Base Indicator
- 3 Alligator Clip Wires
- Salt
- 2 Droppers
- 9 Volt Battery- not included in the Hydro-Splitter Kit

Experiment Procedure

The carbon rod electrodes are connected to the battery with the alligator clip wires. Fill the beaker with 200 milliliters of water along with 25 drops of acid/base indicator and a pinch of salt. Adding a second 9 Volt battery can increase the speed of the reaction.

Results

There will be more hydrogen molecules than oxygen in the water and the electrode that the hydrogen is drawn to will have more bubbles. The water around this electrode will be blue; the water around the other electrode where the oxygen is drawn will be pink. This kit allows for a cost effective way to explain the concepts of electricity and voltage.

Founded by Pat and Heath Nichols, Heath Scientific is a provider of educational supplies located in Cedar Hill, Texas. Major suppliers of Heath Scientific include AntWorks, Thames & Kosmos, Uncle Milton, and Can You Imagine. If you are interested in hosting a school fundraiser, or obtaining science related educational tools, contact Heath Nichols at Heath Scientific by email at heath@heathscientific.net or by phone at (972) 291-4223.