Lesson Plan Title: Batteries One Option in Energy Storage

Transcription

1 Jody Smith Paris Cooperative High School Paris, IL June 25, 2014 Lesson Plan Title: Batteries One Option in Energy Storage Introduction: This lesson plan will allow students to learn about the use of batteries and their importance as energy storage systems for renewable energy. Students will use hands-on activities to be introduced to the topic as well as test various materials to analyze data and determine the best battery. They will collect data and report to the class their findings and justify why their battery is the best. Grade level: 9 th grade Objectives: 1. Students will analyze graphs to determine that fossil fuel availability will not meet future power demand. 2. Students will recognize the importance of renewable energy sources and energy storage solutions such as batteries. 3. Students will test, analyze, and justify different materials for creating the best battery. Standards addressed: HS-PS3-3. Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy. HS-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems. Time Required: Two 43 minute class periods Materials Required: Day 1 (per group) (10) #10 zinc washers ($0.03/washer) (10) pennies ($0.01/penny THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!!!) (1) LED bulb ($1.99) vinegar ($1/bottle) electric tape ($1/roll) thin cardboard Day 2 Note on materials! Have enough on hand so that students can experiment with different combinations of type and size of the metals and liquids. You can also provide them with various nails, screws, washers, etc made of zinc and other materials to test as long as it is a safe combination. Tap water, rain water, and saltwater

2 Distilled water ($1/gal) Lemon juice ($1/bottle) Vinegar ($1/bottle) Baking soda ($1/box) Pop ($1/2 liter bottle) Copper sheet ($15.79 per 4 x 10 sheet.025 thick) Aluminum sheet ($14.19 for six 4 x 10 sheets.064 thick) Beakers Digital multimeter ($19.99) Alligator clip leads ($2.49) Cost list of the metals and liquids Activities: DAY 1 Attention Getting Device: Pair up students and give them instructions and materials to build a simple battery out of pennies and washers. (See Building a Simple Battery handout) After the students have created the batteries, store them and see how long they will keep the LED lit. Take a poll among students how long they think they will stay lit. It might surprise you! (15 min) Give students a large sheet of paper. Have them quickly draw everything they can think of that uses a battery. Discuss their results and how batteries play an import role in our everyday lives. (5 min) Show current graphs of energy usage trends in the U.S. versus availability of fossil fuels into the future. Describe what the graphs are showing but don t explain the relationship of energy consumption outpacing fossil fuel availability. Have students critically think about what they see from the graphs Ask students how else we can get energy. Briefly discuss various renewable energy sources and why they might be better for the environment and the economy. How could this affect life around their community? (10 min) Have students critically think about some of the challenges associated with solar energy. They should come up with at least three and be able to describe them to the class. (cloudy days, night time, peak demand, cost, etc) After sharing with the class, ask the students how we can overcome some of those challenges. In the discussion, students should come to a conclusion that energy storage in batteries would help alleviate some of the problems associated with intermittent sunlight. (10 min) Conclude by telling the students they will be designing and testing batteries the next day. DAY 2 Show a short video about how an electrochemical battery works to store and release energy. (5 min)

3 Pair up students and have them do the activity on the Build a Better Battery handout. At the end, students will need to describe and justify why their battery is best as described in step 5 of their procedure. They should take into consideration not just performance of the battery but environmental concerns, cost, longevity, etc. (35 min) Discuss that they were using common materials on a small scale but scientists and engineers often use models to test a theory and see if it warrants expensive large scale testing. Also discuss with students the electrochemical reaction they were working with. (2 min) Assessment: Use the attached rubric to assess student s report to the class about what they did in the lab.

4 Student names Rubric for Building a Better Battery 1. Student recorded data to include combinations of materials and associated voltage and current readings. 2. Student made good use of lab time to perform multiple tests, record data, and reflect on their results. 3. Student justified the results of their tests using logical reasoning. 4. Student used correct vocabulary when describing and justifying their results and was able to communicate in an effective manner. Points earned (100 points possible) Comments:

5 Building a Simple Battery Today, you are going to build a simple battery using common everyday materials. Lets get started! Materials (10) #10 zinc washers (10) pennies (1) LED bulb vinegar electric tape thin cardboard Procedure 1. One group member can cut ten pieces of thin cardboard the same diameter as a penny. The other member can get some vinegar in a small plastic cup. You only need about half of the cup full of vinegar. 2. Soak the cut pieces of cardboard from step 1 in the cup of vinegar. Let them soak for a couple of minutes. 3. Now start to make a stack of zinc washer, soaked cardboard, and penny and keep stacking them on top of each other in that order until you have used all ten washers, pieces of soaked cardboard, and pennies. Look out the stack is getting tall! 4. Here comes the tricky part. You will need to use electrical tape to tape the stack together with the leads of the LED (light emitting diode) connected to opposite ends of the stack. Wrap tape around it enough to keep it held together. 5. If everything has been done correctly, the LED should be on. If not, figure out why it is not on. 6. After you get the battery assembled with the LED on, carefully give it to your teacher for safe keeping. How long do you think this battery will keep the LED on without any other help?

6 Build a Better Battery Today, your goal is to build the best battery you can. Your company has been selected as a finalist to design and build a prototype for a battery that is an improvement over existing technologies. Your company will be competing against other companies in the class. All companies have the same materials available. You must work with your partner to build the best battery and convince your client why your battery is better than other designs. Materials Tap water Distilled water Rain water Lemon juice Vinegar Saltwater Baking soda Pop copper strips aluminum strips beakers multimeter alligator clip leads Note You may use any combination of liquid and metal strips. You can also experiment with different size strips. Procedure 1. Build the battery by pouring the beaker half full with whatever liquid (electrolyte) you choose. Then place two strips of different metal type on opposite sides of the beaker. The metal strips should be bent over the edge of the beaker. They are the anode and cathode for the battery. 2. Connect the alligator clip leads to the two strips of metal and to the multi-meter. Measure voltage in parallel with the strips. Record your reading. Then measure current in series with the strips. Record your reading. 3. Continue to test different combinations of liquid, metal type, and metal strip size to find the best combination which results in the highest voltage and current readings. (over)

7 4. Calculate the cost of your best battery. You only need to include the cost of the anode, cathode, and electrolyte since those are the only variables between battery companies in your class. 5. Prepare to discuss the data you recorded. You must describe what combination of liquid, metal strip types, and metal strip size resulted in your highest voltage and current readings and why that combination was best. In other words, what is the scientific explanation of why your combination resulted in the highest voltage and current readings. You should also use your evidence to justify why your battery design is better than competing designs in your class. It isn t just about the highest voltage or current. Consider other reasons why your battery is the best design. Sell it! PLEASE BE THOUROUGH WITH YOUR ANSWER!