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Introduction:

To help understand the power of the Sun conduct this experiment on solar energy.

Materials:

• Solar cell
• compass
• fine insulated wire
• shoe box,
• tape
• glue
• magnifying mirror.

Procedure:

1. Wrap the compass neatly with the wire several times.
2. Connect the ends of the wire to the solar cell ends (terminals) or wires.
3. Tape or glue the solar cell onto the shoe box so that it will be supported.
4. Place the compass so that the needle is underneath the coils of wire.
5. Shade the solar cell with your hand.
6. Remove you hand and let the Sun the sunlight hit the cell.
7. Observe the results.
8. Now turn the mirror until it directs a small patch of light onto the cell.
9. Observe the results.

Results:

1. What happened to the needle when the sunlight first struck it?
2. What did you think would happen when you used the magnifying mirror to reflect light onto the cell?
3. When you used the mirror to direct sunlight onto the cell what happened to the needle?
4. Why do you think the mirror made the needle move differently?