Graded Assignment
Name:
SCI404B: Honors Physics | Unit 13 | Lesson 1: Solar Power
Date:
Graded Assignment
Honors Project 2: Solar Power
Write the final draft of your project. Be sure to follow these requirements and recommendations when completing
your draft:
•
Open a new Microsoft Word document. Type your name, your teacher’s name, your school name, and
the date at the top of your document. To help your teacher know who sent the project, save the file as:
PHX_404B_13_01_Honors_Project_2_Final_Draft_FirstInitial_LastName.doc
Example: PHX_404B_13_01_Honors_Project_2_Final_Draft_M_Smith.doc
Type your project in the document you create.
•
If you choose to do a written briefing, it should be 3–4 pages of text (approximately 900–1,200 words),
double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman. If you choose to do a PowerPoint presentation, it should
include 10–16 slides. Graphics and tables may be added as needed. The briefing may be delivered in an
alternative format if approved by your teacher.
•
Check online for the due date of your final draft. Use the time line in the lesson to pace your work. Turn
the final draft in by the due date to receive full credit on the assignment.
•
Your final draft will be evaluated against a grading rubric. A copy of the rubric is included in the lesson.
Read over the rubric before you submit your final draft to your teacher. The final draft assignment is
worth 108 points.
Don’t hesitate to contact your teacher if you have any questions about revising your project. Your teacher is there
to help you.
(18 points)
Criteria
Power needs of New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles
Score
Data on solar radiation
Score
How solar concentrating power plants work
Score
Feedback
(18 points)
Criteria
Feedback
(18 points)
Criteria
Feedback
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Page 1 of 2
Graded Assignment
SCI404B: Honors Physics | Unit 13 | Lesson 1: Solar Power
(18 points)
Criteria
How photovoltaic (PV) cells work
Score
Calculations of electrical power
Score
Recommendation for a solar concentrating power plant or PV
Score
Feedback
(18 points)
Criteria
Feedback
(18 points)
Criteria
Feedback
Your Score
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___ of 108
Page 2 of 2
SCI404B Honors Physics | Unit 13 : Honors Project 2: Solar Power | Lesson 1
Student Guide
Lesson 1: Solar Power
In this project, you will apply the physics of energy, heat transfer, optics, and electromagnetism. You will analyze
a problem and write a briefing for solar power recommendations to a fictional politician. In the briefing, you will
have to evaluate several problems, educate the politician as to the physics of the technologies, and make a
recommendation based on power needs and production.
Modern society is dependent upon fossil fuels to meet its electrical power needs. Solar power is an alternative
renewable supply of energy. But can solar power be a practical, cost-effective alternative? In this project, you will
explore solar power technologies and the physics behind them. You will write a briefing for a fictional policy
maker, such as a president, senator, representative, or governor.
Lesson Objectives
• Describe how the kinetic-molecular system explains thermal energy and heat transfer.
• Discuss light, including diffraction, interference, and optics.
• Explain the physics of solar power plant.
• Give examples of electromagnetic induction.
• Research solar power technologies.
• Research the electrical power needs of several U.S. metropolitan areas.
• Solve problems involving work and power.
• Solve problems of electric force, electric potential, and electric fields.
• Write a briefing to a fictitious politician that discusses solar power and makes a recommendation.
PREPARE
Approximate lesson time is 60 minutes.
Materials
For the Student
Honors Project 2: Grading Rubric
Honors Project 2: Time Line
Keywords and Pronunciation
heliostat : a device that tracks the sun´s direction and reflects its light in a constant direction
photovoltaic cell : a device that converts light energy to electrical energy
solar power : energy, usually electrical, derived directly from the sun´s rays
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Page 1 of 3
SCI404B Honors Physics | Unit 13 : Honors Project 2: Solar Power | Lesson 1
LEARN
Activity 1: Honors Project 2 (Online)
Instructions
Project Scenario
For this project, you will research the following:
• The electrical power needs of four major U.S. metropolitan areas (New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los
Angeles)
• The amount of solar energy received at the earth’s surface at the latitudes and longitudes of these cities
and how it varies monthly and annually
• The types of solar concentrating power plants including their technology and the physics principles involved
• The technology and physics principles involved in photovoltaic cells
• The amount of power that could be supplied by a solar concentrating power plant vs. photovoltaic cells for
each metropolitan area. How does this amount of power compare to the needs of the area?
You will write a technical briefing for a fictional policy maker. The briefing may be a written report or detailed
PowerPoint presentation.
Report Guidelines
You will prepare a 3–4 page written briefing (approximately 900–1,200 words) or 10–16 slide PowerPoint
presentation. Your briefing must include the following points:
1. The power needs of each metropolitan area (New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles), including
calculations
2. Data on the amount of solar radiation hitting each area and how it varies over time, including graphs or
maps
3. A discussion of how solar concentrating power plants work, including the physics principles of solar
collection, heat transfer, and electrical power generation (such as information on optics, thermal energy
transfer, and electromagnetism)
4. A discussion of how photovoltaic (PV) cells work
5. Calculations of the amount of electrical power that could be generated by solar concentrating power
plants vs. PV for individual homes and buildings
6. A recommendation to build a solar concentrating power plant or invest in PV
Report Format
If you choose to do a written briefing, it should be 3–4 pages of text (approximately 900–1,200 words), double
spaced, 12 point Times New Roman. If you choose to do a PowerPoint presentation, it should include 10–16
slides. Graphics and tables may be added as needed. The briefing may be delivered in an alternative format if
approved by your teacher.
In your report, you must address the points listed in the Project Scenario and Report Guidelines.
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Copying or distributing without K12's written permission is prohibited.
Page 2 of 3
SCI404B Honors Physics | Unit 13 : Honors Project 2: Solar Power | Lesson 1
ASSESS
Graded Assignment: Solar Power (Offline)
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Copying or distributing without K12's written permission is prohibited.
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