Title: By: J.C., Spencer, Nick, and Brittney
1Radiant Energy Transformations
- By J.C., Spencer, Nick, and Brittney
2What is Radiant Energy?
- Energy transmitted in wave motion, especially
electromagnetic wave motion through space
3 4What is it used for?
- Electricity
- Transportation
- Space satilites
- Cooking
- Pumping water
- Purifying water
- Heating water (pools)
- Heat air
5How do we collect Radiant Energy?
- Through
- Solar panels
- Basically, when light strikes the cell, a certain
portion of it is absorbed within the
semiconductor material Silicon. This means that
the energy of the absorbed light is transferred
to the semiconductor. - This flow of electrons is a current, and by
placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of
the PV cell, we can draw that current off for
external use.
6Sunlight and Shade Experiment
START TEMP 5 MIN 10 MIN 15 MIN 20 MIN
IN SUN 68F 78F 81F 82F 84F
IN SHADE 70F 74F 76F 76F 77F
Temp in Fahrenheit
7Radiometer
It is a bulb with black and white colored vanes
inside that spins in the light. The little air
molecules bounce around inside the bulb and hit
the colored panels of the vanes. They bounce off
the black harder than the white panels, making
the vanes spin in the direction of the black
vanes.
8Glow toys
- A chemical called Phosphor is added to the
plastic of glow toys. - Phosphor absorbs radiant energy and stores the
energy. The stored energy causes the electrons to
become energized and jump at a higher level. - When the radiant energy goes away and can no
longer be stored the electrons slow down and
release the stored energy, giving off a glow.
9Real world connections
- Solar panels
- Solar panels are a way of getting energy from a
renewable resource. Unfortunately the energy
absorbed from the light is small. Multiple panels
must be used to get a desired voltage (and solar
panels are expensive), but when enough panels are
used it gives a good amount of electricity to
resident or community using them.
10conclusion
- Radiant energy is an excellent source of energy
and in constant supply. - It works for little things well but is harder to
get a big amount of energy from it because it
doesnt convert very well (its not very
efficient).