Super Capacitor Science Kit

Super Capacitor Science Kit - product overview

• Discover the science behind capacitors and generators by using them to power simple electric circuits.
• Understand electric charge, electric current, and other physics concepts while using a generator to charge a capacitor.

Conduct dozens of exciting, hands-on experiments with the science kit

Ideal as a battery replacement for a wide variety of basic electricity experiments, the hand crank generator is a low voltage power source that lets you create electrical current by simply turning a crank. This ingenious device generates student interest producing electrical energy through hands-on student effort. Student's enthusiasm is immediate, whether they are third graders lighting a bulb or college students reviewing sophisticated principles such as Ohm's Law or the electromagnetic properties of light. Made from a sturdy, see-through ABS resin with nylon-plastic gears and handle, the kit is designed to shrug off use and abuse. It produces approximately 200mA of usable current. It is capable of producing up to 6 volts. You can reverse polarity by simply cranking the handle in the opposite direction. And, when powered by another kit or low voltage power source, it acts as a motor.

Elementary and Middle School

Electricity in circuits can produce light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects. Electrical circuits require a complete loop through which current can pass.

Use electric currents to create magnetic fields.

Students know the role of electromagnets in the construction of electric motors, electric generators, and simple devices, such as doorbells and earphones.

Describe electron flow in simple circuits.

Students know how to design and build simple series and parallel circuits by using components such as wires, batteries, and bulbs.

Activities and uses

Some of the activities require accessories sold separately. You can study electron flow, parallel and series circuits, Ohm's Law, motors and generators, energy transformations, and more.

Using a cellophane tap, wrap two wires onto a compass. Ensure you wrap the wires in the compass needle axis. Connect the other end of the wires to the hand crank generator. Turn the handle clockwise with different velocities. Do the same counter-clockwise. Does the defection angle is linked to the handle angular velocity? Does the deflection angle is linked with the handle sense of rotation? Explain.

High School

Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and the nature of a chemical. Energy is transferred in many ways. The total

energy of the universe is constant. Energy can be transferred by collisions in chemical and nuclear reactions, by light waves and other radiations, and in many other ways. however, it can never be destroyed. As these transfers occur, the matter involved becomes steadily less ordered.

Curriculum

What is included in the horizon energy curriculum? The lab equipment is just the beginning. We’ve built the horizon energy curriculum to provide teachers with multiple resources for engaging their students.

• Hands-on Lab Activities
• Teacher's Guides
• Student's Guides

Chemistry Concepts
Electrolysis, Energy, Hydrogen Generation, Reaction Rates, Reactions, Redox Reactions

Earth Science Concepts

Renewable Energy

Datasheet

• FCJJ 35 Datasheet

User Manual

• FCJJ-35 User Manual
• FCJJ-35 User Manual French

Teacher's Guide

• FCJJ-35 Teacher's Guide - Physics - Electricity
• FCJJ-35 Teacher's Guide - Physics - Capacitors and Generators

Curriculum

• FCJJ-35 Student's Guide - Physics - Electricity
• FCJJ-35 Student's Guide - Physics - Capacitors and Generators

Super Capacitor Science Kit - FAQ
 

What is a capacitor, how does it work ?

A capacitor is an electrical component which is composed of two plates separated by an electrical insulation. This component could function in two modes, the charge and the discharge. The charge occurs when there is a difference of potential across the conductors. It permit to store energy inside the generated electric field. In general, this kind of component is used for blocking the direct current and for letting pass the alternative one. They could be used to stabilize the voltage and the power flow in an electric power transmission.

What is a hand crank generator?

A hand crank generator is an engine which is used as a generator. It turns a mechanical energy into an electrical current. It is composed of three principal components which are the stator, the rotor and a rotary handle. The user will turn the rotary handle which will make turn a magnet inside a coil. Due to the rotation of the magnet, the electrical field turn and an electrical current will appear in the coil.

What will happen if I turn the hand crank handle in the wrong sense.

The hand crank generator could function in both senses as a lot of engine. The sense of rotation will just impact the sense of the current which is generated. However, you should be careful with the components which are connected to the generator. In fact, some components are polarized and they couldn’t works in both sense.

What will happen if I connect the hand crank generator to the fan in the wrong sense?

Nothing bad, the fan is composed of a small engine which work in the same way than the generator but in the other sense (it turns an electrical current into a mechanical motion). If you pug the generator wires in the wrong sense, the fan will turn in the other sense than previously.

Do there is a special position to plug the generator to the potentiometer?

There is just one thing to know when you use a potentiometer, it should be wired in parallel with the component you want to measure the voltage.

What will happen if I connect the hand crank generator to the capacitor in the wrong sense?

You will damage seriously the capacitor if you turn the handle when the wires are incorrectly plugged into the capacitor. In this way, you risk to break or crack the capacitor. Warning, if you connect the capacitor in the good way but you turn the hand crank generator handle in the wrong sense, you also risk to break the capacitor.