EXPERIMENT 2

Electricity Directly from Sunlight

THINGS YOU NEED: Silicon solar cell (see text). Block of wood. Compass. Cardboard. Small spool of magnet wire (#28 wire or finer). Two small alligator clamps. Soldering iron and solder. Tape. Glue.

A silicon solar cell transforms light directly into electricity (in a manner too complicated to explain here). Many space satellites use solar cells to power their scientific equipment.

Someday, solar cells may be used to produce electricity for homes and factories on earth. This could happen if scientists figure out a way to manufacture large solar cells at a reason- able price. Right now the cost is too high.

However, you can use a small inexpensive solar cell to demonstrate the process of transforming sunlight into elec- tricity.

You can purchase such a cell at most electronics stores. Treat it gently. Repeat: TREAT IT GENTLY. It is extreme- ly fragile and easily broken.

The cell comes without any connecting wires. So you’ll have to make a pair. Do this with two lengths of the magnet wire. Each connecting wire should be about 12" long. Carefully scrape ½" of the enamel insulation from both ends of both wires.

Now for the tricky part: Lay the solar cell on something soft, like an old towel. Solder one of the wires to the silver edge on the front of the cell. Do this very carefully. Then solder the other wire to the silver surface anywhere on the back of the cell.