Annex A - Group Research Proposal

Investigative Skills in Science
 Research Proposal Form
Project Title: Investigation of the effect of the number of
junctions on the Seebeck effect voltage produced
Class
S2-07
Group:
C


SN
Name of student
Email
13
DEXTER ONG KHOO SHIAN
dexter_ong_khoo_shian@
s2018.ssts.edu.sg
21
ONG HONG YU
ong_hong_yu@s2018.
ssts.edu.sg
24
TIMOTHY CHOO YERN WENG
timothy_choo_yern_weng@
s2018.ssts.edu.sg
Type of research:

[1] Test a hypothesis: Hypothesis-driven research
e.g. Investigation of how the number of junctions affects the voltage produced

[2] Measure a value: Experimental research (I)
e.g. Determination of the mass of Jupiter using planetary photography
V
[3] Measure a function or relationship: Experimental research (II)
e.g. Investigation of the effect of temperature on the growth of crystals

[4] Construct a model: Theoretical sciences and applied mathematics
e.g. Modeling of the cooling curve of naphthalene 

[5] Observational and exploratory research
e.g. Investigation of the soil quality in SST
Category of research:
Sub-category:
Electrical and Mechanical Systems (EE)
Other
Reference






Research Plan
Project Title: Investigation of the effect of the number of junctions on the Seebeck effect voltage produced


1. RATIONALE:
The rationale of this project is to find out what effect the number of junctions will have on the
amount of electricity produced using the Seebeck effect. In this way, electricity can be
produced more easily and cheaply rather than from power plants or fossil fuels.  In this
way, we can be more environmentally friendly too. We can also have another source
of energy to help reduce the energy problem in general. The Seebeck effect is the
conversion of heat directly into electricity at the junction of different types of wire.
Originally discovered in 1794 by Italian scientist Alessandro Volta,  it is named after the
Baltic German physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck, who in 1821 independently
rediscovered it.
[Wikipedia contributors. (2018, December 12). Thermoelectric effect. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Retrieved January 10, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thermoelectric_
effect&oldid=873392406]
When heat is applied to one of the two conductors or semiconductors, heated electrons
flow toward the cooler one. If the pair is connected through an electrical circuit, direct
current (DC) flows through that circuit. The voltages produced by Seebeck effect are small,
usually only a few microvolts (millionths of a volt) per kelvin of temperature difference at the
junction. If the temperature difference is large enough, some Seebeck-effect devices can
produce a few millivolts (thousandths of a volt). Numerous such devices can be connected
in series to increase the output voltage or in parallel to increase the maximum deliverable
current. Large arrays of Seebeck-effect devices can provide useful, small-scale electrical
power if a large temperature difference is maintained across the junctions. [Rouse, M. (2008).
“Seebeck effect.” Tech Target. Retrieved January 12, 2019 from https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Seebeck-effect]
Electromotive force (measured in volts), is the electrical intensity developed by a source of electrical
energy such as a battery or generator. A device that converts other forms of energy into electrical energy
provides an emf as its output. [Wikipedia contributors. (2019, January 20). Electromotive force. In Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 10, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Electromotive_
force&oldid=879298362]
We will be using the term emf because it is the unit that we will use to measure the voltage produced.
This shows that the Seebeck effect can provide a constant source of electricity if a large enough
temperature difference is maintained. Which shows that the Seebeck effect can be used to make a
renewable and safe source of energy.
2. RESEARCH QUESTION(S):
2.1 Research question being addressed


Investigation of the effect of the number of junctions on the Seebeck effect voltage produced
2.2 Hypotheses
Our hypothesis is that when there are more junctions the Seebeck effect will produce more electricity.
2.2.1 Independent variable
The independent variable is the number of junctions (number of junctions).
2.2.2 Dependent variable


The dependent variable is the amount of electricity (voltage) produced.
2.3 Controlled variables
(a)  The temperature of the two ends of the metal.
(b)  The material of the junctions
(c)  The temperature of the environment
(d)  Size of junctions
(e)  
2.3 How is this based on the rationale described above?
We want to see how the number of junctions affects the voltage produced, hence a
number of junctions are the independent variable and the amount of electricity is the
dependent variable. The temperature of the junctions and environment should be
kept constant so that we can see. The size of the junctions should be the same also.
3.    Method
3.1 Equipment list:
  1.  4 meters of solid core copper wire
  2.  4 meters of constantan wire
  3.  Soldering iron
  4.  2 voltage meters
  5. Wire cutters
  6. Needle nose pliers
  7. ice
  8. Infrared thermometer’
  9. 500ml beaker


3.2 Diagrams

Figure 1: Experimental setup
3.3 Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection
  1. Cut the copper wire and the constantan wire into 27 sections that are of equal length.
  2. Solder a copper wire section and a steel wire section together to make a junction.
  3. Repeat step 2 twenty times. You should have 21 junctions in total.
  1. Solder the Junctions together as shown in figures 1 to 6.
  1. Set up 21 ceramic tiles with dry ice.
  2. Set up figure 1.
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
  2. Set up figure 2
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
  1. Set up figure 3
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
  1. Set up figure 4
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
  1. Set up figure 5
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
  1. Set up figure 6
  1. Turn on the hot plate and set it to 100 degrees Celsius.
  1. Wait for 3 minutes, make sure that the temperature difference for all the junctions is equal using the infrared thermometer, then measure the voltage using the voltage meter.
3.4 Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.


Tabulate the data and calculate the difference in the voltage produced.
From the data collected, we can see if more junctions will affect the voltage produced by the
Seebeck effect.
4. Risk, Assessment, and Management: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken.
Table 1: Risk Assessment and a Management table
Risk
Assessment
Management



As the experiments involve heating, there is a risk of fire if the
flame accidentally touches any flammable material.
Medium
Make sure that there are no flammable
materials near the heating apparatus.
As the experiments involve heating, there is a risk of scalding
the hand accidently.
Low
Use mittens or tongs when carrying out
the experiment
ice may cause frostbite and damage to the delicate tissues
of the skin if applied to the skin for too long
low
Contact hazard:  ice can cause frostbite
upon contact with skin for too long, We will
use tongs to move the dry ice.
The soldering iron may cause injury if not handled properly
medium
The soldering iron may burn our skin if we
touch it while soldering the wires together.
We will wear gloves if necessary
5. References: List at least three (3) major sources (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review.
Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan. List your entries in
alphabetical order for each type of source.
1.A Simple Explanation of Seebeck Effect With its Applications
website title: ScienceStruck
Article title: A Simple Explanation of Seebeck Effect With its Applications
Author: ScienceStruck (Feb 28, 2018)
2.Brittanica “Seebeck effect” Jul 20, 1998
Website title: Brittanica
Article title: Seebeck effect
3.Author: fjordcarver, December 2013
article title: Make a Thermopile From Some Copper Wire and Paper Clips
website title: Instructables
4.TechTarget “Seebeck effect” December 2008
website title: tech target
article title: Seebeck effect



6. Bibliography: List at least three (3) major sources (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your
literature review. Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan.
List your entries in alphabetical order for each type of source.
1.TechTarget “Seebeck effect” December 2008
website title: tech target
article title: Seebeck effect
2. Wikipedia”Thermoelectric effect” Last edited on 12 December 2018
Website title: Wikipedia
Article title: Seebeck effect
3. Wikipedia”Electromotive force” Last edited on 20 Jan 2019
Website title: Wikipedia
Article title: Electromotive force

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