Problem Solving

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Unit 2 Lesson 2- Solar Energy Application 

ELA: Attentive Listening, Critical Listening (2) Maths: Sorting, Venn Diagrams (3) Science: Solar Energy

Electrical Current- a stream of charged particles, usually electrons, moving through an electrical conductor or space

Agrivoltaics- co-developing the same area of land for both solar photovoltaic power as well as for agriculture.

PV Tracker- A device that can track the position of the sun 

Silicon- A chemical element classified as a semi-conductor that is used in most solar panels

Infrared Light- Light that comes from the sun which we can not see

Textiles- a type of cloth or woven fabric.

Molecule- a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction

Catalyst- any material that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed

Watch video on applications of Solar Energy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwFB22r9zRo

Complete these sentences based on the video: 

1. Less than _____ percent of the world’s electricity comes from Solar Power.
2. Why would it not be a great idea to put solar panels in a hot climate (desert)?
3. What steps could you take to make sure solar panels are working efficiently in a hot climate (desert)? The sun’s energy will not run out for billions of years.
4. Solar windows convert only _____ percent of the sun’s energy to electricity.
5. ______ is the most practical (best working) use for solar fabric.
6. Solar Thermal Fuels turn the sun’s energy into ______.
7. Swedish scientists were able to use solar thermal fuel to raise the temperature of an area by _____ degrees.
8. How would you use two or more of these solar inventions (Agrovoltaics, PV Tracker, Solar Windows, Solar Thermal Fuels, Solar Fabrics)?
9. How might these inventions be useful in your every day life?—————————————————————–

Okay Now lets create a Scratch Animation that demonstrates Solar Energy

Topic For The Day: Solar Energy
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Let’s Discuss The Problem Solving Process

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REVIEW YOUR SCRATCH PROJECTS!
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Way Back When
(Today’s Group Reading)

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ELA: Attentive Listening, Critical Listening (2) Science: Solar Energy
Unit 2 Lesson 1- Solar Energy and How it Works
(Reading Exercise)

Fossil Fuel: A fossil fuel is a fuel formed by natural processes, such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms, containing organic molecules originating in ancient photosynthesis that release energy in combustion.

Solar Power- power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun’s rays.

Renewable Energy Source- Energy source that comes from an ongoing process that will continue far into the foreseeable future

Photovoltaic/Solar Cells- Dark panels on solar powered devices or solar panels that convert sunlight directly to electricity

Semiconductor- a solid substance that has a conductivity between that of an insulator and that of most metals, either due to the addition of an impurity or because of temperature effects.

Photon- Light particle released by the sun

Electrons- Particles that create the flow of electricity

Climate- the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
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Watch video on Solar Energy https://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/solarenergy/

Complete these sentences based on the video: 

1. Why are Fossil Fuels used more than solar energy? 
2. Why is solar energy considered a renewable energy source? 
3. _____ is a device you might use to heat a building.
4. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into _____.
5. What does the “Photo” in photovoltaic cell mean?
6. Energy can pass through ______ with some effort. 
7. An electrical current is the flow of _____. 
8. ______ percent of the sun’s energy can be converted to electricity by a photovoltaic cell? 
9. Photovoltaic Cells are ______.
10. Name a city/ country that could benefit from using solar panels and why.

Answers
Fossil fuels are much cheaper.
The sun’s energy will not run out for billions of years.
A thermal collector
Electricity
light
Semiconductors
electrons
15 to 20 percent
Inefficient