Designer Solar Cells with Rxn Rates
Students willl use factors that affect reaction rates to design a solar cell that will output the most energy (as measured by a multimeter).
Overview
Students investigate factors that affect reaction rates and apply them to a dye-sensitized solar cell prototype. The lesson opens with a flame test and magnesium ribbon demonstration, followed by four stations on particle size, temperature, a catalase catalyst, and concentration using an iodine clock reaction. In the exploration, students build a solar cell and vary a factor such as graphite amount or berry juice type, and they also use a simulation. A TedEd video and a collision theory analogy explain reaction rates. Students then model how their solar cells convert energy and present a DataBlitz and model to the class. All four Engagement stations should take approximately 30 minutes.
Lesson Objectives
- Manipulate variables to determine its effect on reaction rates using qualitative and quantitative data.
- Design a solar cell prototype to determine the rate of energy output. This includes modeling findings and identifying limitations.
Standards
NGSS · 5
- HS-PS3-2Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motions of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).
- HS-PS1-5Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
- HS-PS3-3Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.*
- HS-ETS1-2Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
- HS-ESS3-1Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
CCSS Math · 2
- Optional: Can have students calculate the rate of a reaction
- 8.F.B.4Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values
CCSS ELA · 3
- ELA9-10.6Reading closely literary and informational texts and viewing multimedia to determine how meaning is conveyed explicitly and implicitly through language
- ELA9-10.9Expressing information and ideas in formal oral presentations on academic topics
- ELA9-10.12Selecting and applying varied and precise vocabulary and other language resources to effectively convey ideas