In this experiment we created LED lights from household items: pennies, cardboard, vinegar, foil, and of course a LED light. I was not informed of this before the lab, but pennies actually aren't fully copper, they have a layer of copper over a larger amount of zinc. So we had to sand off the layer of copper (on only one side of the penny) in order to have both zinc and copper prevalent in the flashlight. We then soaked the cardboard in vinegar (full of electrolytes in order to transfer energy) from one penny to the other, and stacked one penny (zinc up), then the cardboard, and repeated 6 times. Then had the bottom of the stack of pennies sit on the foil. Then we attached the LED to the foil and the top of the stack. Right as it touched both ends, it lit up, creating an easy LED light.
Looking back:
This experiment turned out really well. The light worked right away and we were able to make it brighter by pressing down on the light where it was attached to the stack of pennies. We wrapped it in electrical tape and left it at school overnight. We got there and it was really dim but once again, if we pressed down harder it worked. It finally burnt out, but I think that Brianna and I did a really good job at making the light work for longer than we expected.
Looking beyond:
What I believe happened in this light is that the electrolytes allowed the electrical current to go upward through the copper and zinc to the other side of the LED. This means that the electrons moved freely from one penny to the other completing the circuit when the LED was applied.
Looking inward:
I believe that Brianna and I got really desirable results. I think this was because we did everything step by step and were willing to put effort into this lab by sanding down the pennies (which took a lot of time and work) and completed the rest of the lab with precision.
Looking outward:
Brianna and I collaborated well because we did an even share of work and tried our best to complete the lab given to us. We did everything as we were taught to do. Brianna and I work well together, in general, because we do a good job at communicating who needs to do what and how we are going to do it.
Looking forward:
If I had to do this again, I would test using zinc washers instead of scrubbing off the copper on sides of the pennies. I would like to see if this changes the light in anyway such as staying on longer or being brighter than one like ours. Overall, I think that it did go very well so I wouldn't necessarily change anything but if I had to, I would do what I said above.
Looking back:
This experiment turned out really well. The light worked right away and we were able to make it brighter by pressing down on the light where it was attached to the stack of pennies. We wrapped it in electrical tape and left it at school overnight. We got there and it was really dim but once again, if we pressed down harder it worked. It finally burnt out, but I think that Brianna and I did a really good job at making the light work for longer than we expected.
Looking beyond:
What I believe happened in this light is that the electrolytes allowed the electrical current to go upward through the copper and zinc to the other side of the LED. This means that the electrons moved freely from one penny to the other completing the circuit when the LED was applied.
Looking inward:
I believe that Brianna and I got really desirable results. I think this was because we did everything step by step and were willing to put effort into this lab by sanding down the pennies (which took a lot of time and work) and completed the rest of the lab with precision.
Looking outward:
Brianna and I collaborated well because we did an even share of work and tried our best to complete the lab given to us. We did everything as we were taught to do. Brianna and I work well together, in general, because we do a good job at communicating who needs to do what and how we are going to do it.
Looking forward:
If I had to do this again, I would test using zinc washers instead of scrubbing off the copper on sides of the pennies. I would like to see if this changes the light in anyway such as staying on longer or being brighter than one like ours. Overall, I think that it did go very well so I wouldn't necessarily change anything but if I had to, I would do what I said above.