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Progress Report 2
Progress Report 2
Progress Report 2
Progress Report 2
Dr. Psaker
Objectives: As of November 20th, 2018, we have submitted an order form for the
following items:
Arduino Kit
Through further research, we have determined that most batteries cannot last very long,
because the low resistance means the battery is producing a very high current, which can result
in the battery dying after a short period of time. We are looking into longer lasting power
sources, such as portable chargers. We are also going to connect the batteries in parallel, and
experimentally determine battery life and current output. Connecting two batteries in parallel
will double the current output, with the lithium ion battery we ordered it would be a 1600mAh
output. We could also connect them both in series and in parallel, which would raise the voltage
and current output. We are now testing nichrome wire as well, after learning about the current
limitations of the batteries (heat generated is proportional to power loss, which is equal to the
current squared multiplied by resistance, when current is constant, or at its limit). To increase
current capacity, we may need to use lower gauge wiring. We now have a better plan that
considers more variables and factors for our design. We also researched and determined the
correct formula for the ideal heating of a wire (used in methods section), which is a proof of
In the next two weeks, we plan to design plausible models of our device. Using the
design matrix, we will possibly narrow down to two designs that will fit our needs and
expectations of the device. If time allows, we will begin to test components underwater which
This is the formula used to calculate the temperature in a wire under ideal conditions,
with no cooling:
𝐼 2 𝑅∆𝑡
Formula: ∆𝑇 = 𝑚𝐶
𝐼 = Current (Amperes, A)
𝑅 = Resistivity (Ohms, Ω)
Figure 1. The image above represents our estimation of heat change in a 28 Gauge Copper Wire,
We have also changed our planned procedure slightly from before. We will now add
While setting up the battery pack, we will connect two or more batteries in parallel. This
is done by connecting the positive terminal of one battery to the positive terminal of the
other, then connecting the negative terminals in the same manner. This doubles the
maximum current and the battery life, while holding a specific current.
We will also test nichrome wire, to see if it heats up faster than the copper wire. Now that
we know the current limitations of higher gauge wires and portable batteries, we cannot
output an arbitrarily high current. This means that the resistance should be raised (Since
power loss by heat is equal to current squared multiplied by resistance). We will test the
rate of heating of both nichrome wire and copper wire. We will also test a lower gauge
wire of each material. We will do this by using a thermocouple and recording its
readings.
PROGRESS REPORT 2 6
Our materials are under shipment; therefore, we were not able to do lab testing with our
apparatus. However, we used the formula outlined in the methods section to theoretically give us
what temperature the wire would reach under ideal conditions (no heat conductance or radiation),
and this just gives us the temperature inside the wire. This is a proof of concept, and simply
shows that it is possible for copper wire to heat up significantly. The resulting change in
temperature is very obviously not what would happen in real life, because heat would be lost
quickly in a metal like copper, but we will need to experiment to find out the amount of heat lost
Bibliography
Menezes, R. (2017, August 07). How to Convert Wattage to Degrees. Retrieved November 27,
Stubbing, J. (2018, November 24). AUS-e-TUTE : Chemistry Teaching and Learning Resources.
Blattenberger, K. (n.d.). Copper Wire Properties Guage Size Resistance Current AWG.
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