How can I explain solar power to 8 year olds?
Question:
Answer:
I think that this may be a little bit complicated for an eight year old. A little extra background may be required, since I don't deal with kids I have no idea if they've even heard of an electron. But I'll give it a shot here.
Photocells contain a material called a semiconductor. These semiconductors are generally made of silicon. Light from the sun is made of tiny particles (keep it as a particle and not a particle wave duality to keep it simple for the kids) called photons. Every photon has a different amount of energy that it carries. When photons with special energies hit the semiconductors it makes the atoms excited. When the atom gets excited enough it "loses" an electron (the particles that make electricity). This electron is free to move around with the other freed electrons. In the original atom, there is a "hole" for electrons now. Some of the electrons will move around the solarcell filling these holes. When enough electrons are free to move around, they are able to move around circuits. These circuits are whatever electrical devices we may want to use the electricity from the solar cell for.
I don't know if that was simple enough, but it's as simple as I can put.
you could tell them that it is power the sun makes...
you'll find everything you need here.
hi if you go to this site: www.powerhousekids.com
it is a great way to teach children about the different power sorces available including solar power, and it explains it in a fun way to
I don't know how you could explain it but a way that could help would be if you get a solar panel, one that would fit on a desk and point it at a cone where the inside is covered in kitchen foil. You then get a light bulb and put the solar panel infront of it. You get two wires leading to a bell, or a fan or something and then turn the light on. This will show 3 things: how light reacts to certain objects (the light can't penetrate the opaque solar panel), how circuits work and how solar light works.
Hope this helps and if it doesn't help much do it anyway, it's great fun to set up and wo have a go at working
March 6, 2007
hi,
A very good way to explain solar power to an eight year old is to first explain the principles of solar energy.
1) Solar energy is produced by the sun. The sun is the source of power for solar energy.
2) Solar energy is gathered and used and sometimes stored for use. Explain the use of solar panels, and how we position the solar panels to gather the solar energy from the sun. Depending on the type of equipment used, show a simple use of solar energy with the use of solar panels on a roof, to gather the energy and propel a fan to heat an upper loft. More detailed explanations can include the use of solar power to run generators and entire households. It is an economical way to utilize our environmental resources. These generators can store the solar power gathered, and can be used throughout the day. I hope your students enjoy this. Thank you.
magnifying glass
burn something
then explain that this heat can be stored in batteries .with silver/aluminium wire and black plastic
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