introduction
For this project we got to come up with and choose a major world would problem that we would like to solve. Then after we chose this topic we researched what was the main problem was and what we can do to solve it. After this we researched and prototyped ways to solve this. After we created a good prototype we presented our ideas and research to the class.
During this project my group decided on making our problem oil dependence. We began by researching what was bad with oil and other fossil fuels and found out about the vast amounts of CO2 emissions and Fracking done in the US. What I focused on during my research was oil and Fracking. This is when i found out that in order to frack for oil they sent thousands of gallons of water infused with many toxic chemicals like uranium and mercury into the ground to push the oil up so it is extractable. They would pull as much of the water up as possible and left the rest. This had toxic water would get into things like ground water and drinking water which in some spots got to the point in which they could turn on the sink and light the water on fire. I also learned how the US energy is mostly from fossil fuels which makes a large amount of CO2 gas which increases the global temperature. This could lead to destructive weather and less available water.
After looking at the problem that was fossil fuel use we began to research ways to supply energy that was less damaging to the environment. We began by brain storming ways to generate power we came up with wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. We quickly decided that wind wasn't a good choice do to it being very large and expensive as well as being situation on its use. We then moved to using solar which although it looked promising at first we quickly found out how expensive and inefficient they were with only a few being good in anything but bulk. We also looked at the cheaper water boiler design and found that in order to even turn the turbine you would need the turbine to be massive and the ability to boil a load of water. We then switched to Nuclear reactors and found that there was a thorium reactor that could produce much more safer nuclear waste that could be converted into uranium and other elements for the use in other reactors. We never went through with this plan how ever do to it being a very large scale thing and requiring a strong knowledge of Nuclear Science. This left only Hydrogen power which at first my grouup was very scared of do to it seemingly involving as confusing a process as Nuclear energy but after we researched it turned out to be much safer and effective then we thought.
After looking at the problem that was fossil fuel use we began to research ways to supply energy that was less damaging to the environment. We began by brain storming ways to generate power we came up with wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. We quickly decided that wind wasn't a good choice do to it being very large and expensive as well as being situation on its use. We then moved to using solar which although it looked promising at first we quickly found out how expensive and inefficient they were with only a few being good in anything but bulk. We also looked at the cheaper water boiler design and found that in order to even turn the turbine you would need the turbine to be massive and the ability to boil a load of water. We then switched to Nuclear reactors and found that there was a thorium reactor that could produce much more safer nuclear waste that could be converted into uranium and other elements for the use in other reactors. We never went through with this plan how ever do to it being a very large scale thing and requiring a strong knowledge of Nuclear Science. This left only Hydrogen power which at first my grouup was very scared of do to it seemingly involving as confusing a process as Nuclear energy but after we researched it turned out to be much safer and effective then we thought.
physics concepts
1. Identify the need: fossil fuel is bad to the environment and is very costly
2. Research the problem: looked up pros and cons of fossil fuels and found things like fracking and and the ways burning it affects the earth.
3. Develop possible solutions: Looking up alternate forms of energy
4. Select the most promising solution: picking the type with the most benefits and least costs and cons.
5. Construct a prototype: the 3D design
6. Test and evaluate the prototype: researching real engine that work in a similar manner.
7. Communicate the design: presentation
8. Redesign: adding sterling engine
9. Repeat
2. Research the problem: looked up pros and cons of fossil fuels and found things like fracking and and the ways burning it affects the earth.
3. Develop possible solutions: Looking up alternate forms of energy
4. Select the most promising solution: picking the type with the most benefits and least costs and cons.
5. Construct a prototype: the 3D design
6. Test and evaluate the prototype: researching real engine that work in a similar manner.
7. Communicate the design: presentation
8. Redesign: adding sterling engine
9. Repeat
Reflection
This project was the most open project we have had this year with the ability to choose what we are researching how to solve the problem as well as the groups. Do to this freedom we were left with this we had the ability to make a unique project as well as research a variety subjects. However this freedom was also is double edged sword as my group and I learned the importance of picking groups where you could be productive in as my group was a group of friends we struggled with this. I also learned the importance of spreading out your research as when we were presenting we had very few big reasons why but had lots of details on the few big reasons why. On the flip side my group and I did a very good job at brain storming coming up with many solutions and ideas to solve our problems. I also did a good job at managing my group when we needed to finish our project. I did this by splitting up the work amongst thegroup so we could get done on time.