AP Physics & Greenhouse: Electrical & Thermodynamics Solutions

[jmgood]

Hi there,

I'm a high school physics teacher and my school has recently built a greenhouse! I am trying to find ways that I can have my AP level physics students participate in the greenhouse project, but I'm finding that anything I can think of seems to be well beyond the scope of the course (and we have limited time as it is). Is there anything electrical or thermodynamics related, perhaps, that isn't insanely uncontrolled? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I've been tasked with setting up the electrical grid for the fans and solar panels that we'll be using to regulate temperatures, and I'm afraid I don't have the first idea of how to treat anything beyond a simple circuit. What's more important, the voltage supplied across an appliance, or the current? Or is it both? If my power sources are all rated in terms of power, not voltage or amperage, how can I relate that to the devices in my circuit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Borg]

Maybe something here will give you some ideas - http://www.instructables.com/howto/greenhouse+power/

 

[martane]

Hi there,

I think it's great that your school has built a greenhouse and that you're trying to involve your AP physics students in the project. It's always exciting to bring real-life applications into the classroom.

As for potential projects for your students, one idea could be to have them design and build a solar-powered irrigation system for the greenhouse. This would involve both electrical and thermodynamics concepts, as they would need to consider things like solar panel efficiency, water flow rates, and heat transfer. It could also be a great opportunity for them to learn about sustainable energy sources.

As for the electrical grid for the fans and solar panels, both voltage and current are important. Voltage is the potential difference that drives the current, so you need to make sure that your power sources are supplying the correct voltage for your devices. Current, on the other hand, is the flow of electricity and you need to make sure that the wires and components in your circuit can handle the current without overheating. It's important to balance both voltage and current in your circuits.

If your power sources are rated in terms of power, you can use the equation P = VI (power = voltage x current) to calculate the voltage or current needed for your devices. It's also important to consider the power ratings of your devices and make sure they are compatible with your power sources.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!