Best Lab Equipment

Here are some more information for Electronic Lab:

Power is an electrical quantity that is measured in watts, and is the rate at which energy is either being absorbed or produced by a circuit. We know that light bulbs and heaters absorb energy and that the higher their value in watts the more energy they will consume. Likewise, batteries and generators produce energy and the greater their electrical rating the more power they can deliver to the load. The unit of electrical power is the watt with its symbol being a large letter "P" indicating constant DC power or a small letter "p" indicating a time-varying AC power.

Electrical power is related to energy which is the capacity to do work. It can also be defined as the rate of by which energy is transferred. If one joule of work is either absorbed or delivered at a constant rate of one second, then the corresponding power will be equivalent to one watt so power, P can be defined as 1Joule/sec = 1Watt. Then we can say that one watt is equal to one joule per second and electrical power can be defined as the rate of doing work or the transferring of energy.

Equally we can define energy as being watts per second or joules. So if the power is measured in kilowatts (thousands of watts) and the time is measure in hours, then the unit of electrical energy is the kilowatt-hour, (kWh) and 1 kWh is the amount of electricity used by a device rated at 1000 watts in one hour.

Kilowatt-hours are the standard units of energy used by the electricity meter in our homes to calculate the amount of electrical energy we use and therefore how much we pay. So if you switch on an electric fire with an element rated at 1000 watts and left it on for 1 hour you will have used 1 kWh of electricity. If you switched on two electric fires each with 1000 watt elements for half an hour the total consumption would be exactly the same amount of electricity - 1kWh. So, consuming 1000 watts for one hour uses the same amount of power as 2000 watts (twice as much) for half an hour (half the time). Then for a 100 watt light bulb to use 1 kWh or one unit of electrical power it would need to be switched on for a total of 10 hours (10 x 100 = 1000 = 1kWh).

So we now know that the unit of power is the watt with the power absorbed by an electrical circuit being given as the product of the voltage, V and the current, I which gives:

P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amperes)

Also, by substituting Ohm's Law into the equation above we can also define a constant DC power as being:

P (watts) = I^2 (amperes squared) x R (resistance)

or

P (watts) = V^2 (voltage squared) / R (resistance)

Then there are three possible formulas for calculating electrical power in a circuit. If the calculated power is positive, (+P) then the circuit or component absorbs the power. But if the calculated power is negative, (-P) the circuit or component delivers power in other words it is a source of energy.

Power Rating

Electrical components are given a "power rating" in watts that indicates the maximum rate at which the component coverts the electrical energy into another form of energy such as heat, light or motion. For example, a 1/4W resistor, a 100W light bulb etc. So energy is used by electrical devices to convert one form of power to another so for example, an electrical motor will covert electrical energy into a mechanical force.

Electrical motors and other electrical systems have an efficiency rating defined as the ratio of power converted into work to the total power consumed by the device. Efficiency is expressed as a decimal fraction but is generally defined as a percentage value such as 85% efficient. So we can define efficiency as being equal to power output divided by power input x 100%.

The efficiency of an electrical device or motor will always be less than one (100%) due to electrical and mechanical losses. If an electrical device has an efficiency rating of 85% then only 85% of the input power is transformed into mechanical work the other 15% is lost in heat or other losses.

Domestic electrical appliances such as washing machines, driers, fridges and freezers also have energy efficiency ratings that indicate their energy usage and cost. These ratings are given as "A" for efficient and "G" for less efficient.

So remember, the more energy efficient is the device, the less energy it will consume and the more money you will save as well as being helpful to the environment.

Learn more about electrical power and energy and lots of other good basic electronics tutorials at http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws.

Science Fair Projects Ideas Using Elenco Electronic Lab Kits

It is surprisingly easy and enjoyable for a student to create a science fair project that uses electricity. This article offers five ideas for great science fair projects using readily available electronic kits, such as Elenco Electronic Project Lab and Thames and Kosmos.

So why is it important for beginner electronics students to always use an electronic kit from a reputable brand, such as Ramsey, MadLab, Amerikit, or Elenco Electronic Project Lab? It is important because high-voltage electricity can be deadly without proper precautions, students can safely explore electricity with low-voltage electronic kits. Even at low voltages, electricity can be dangerous if not handled properly. Products like Elenco Electronic Project Lab avoid dangerous activities like soldering and use only battery power, which is much safer than AC power.

Another benefit of using electronics kits is they come with detailed instructions, which is very helpful for beginners. Before doing any experiments with electronic kits, students should read all directions included with the kit and follow those directions exactly. Improper use could result in fires, property damage, or even personal injury. Reputable brand name products like Elenco Electronic Project Lab include a lab manual with step by step instructions for every electronics experiment.

So here are a few ideas for projects. The simplest experiment with electricity might be an exploration of conductors versus insulators. A conductor is simply a material through which electricity will flow with little resistance; an insulator prevents electricity from flowing. This can be tested by creating a simple circuit with a battery and a light bulb. If a material completes the circuit, the light bulb will luminesce, indicating that it is a conductor. Most metals are conductors, while most nonmetals are insulators. Therefore, it will not be a surprise to see that silver and copper are conductors, while cotton and glass are insulators. However, you may be surprised by the results of lead (a metal) or graphite (a non-metal).

Depending on the requirements and the amount of time allotted for the experiment, another interesting and particularly applicable experiment would be an exploration of light bulbs. Which light bulb is the best value for the money? The student can explore the differences between brands or between types of bulbs (incandescent, compact florescent, or halogen). At the end of the experiment, the student can compare the price of each bulb to the number of hours the bulb burned. This experiment may require a closet or a room away from the bedroom, so that bulbs that remain on during the night will not awaken the family.

Another interesting and low cost experiment would be an exploration of temperature on the output (in volts) of a standard alkaline or dry cell battery. Another, similar variable would be the output of different brands of batteries (Energizer, Duracell, Eveready, etc.). If enough time is allotted for the experiment, the student can also explore the lifespan of a battery, and whether the battery will last longer if it runs continuously or if it is started and stopped on a regular basis. Any combination of these variables can form a fascinating hypothesis.

Part of the adventure of a science experiment is using imagination to explore a particular aspect of the world around us. Using this imagination, a student could explore a different application for an existing electronic device. For example, the student could investigate the possibility of creating a different type of clock that expresses time using lights instead of numbers. Similarly, the student could explore rewiring a low-cost radio to improve sound.

Creating a science experiment using electronic kits is a way for a student to explore a scientific hypothesis while still having fun. The hands-on style of science experiments is a particularly unforgettable experience. In the 21st century, career opportunities in electronics and technology are expected to abound. For many people, their interest in these industries begins in childhood with simple experiments with electricity!

About the Author

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Elenco Electronic Project Lab. Click here to download our free electronic lab kits guidebook filled with helpful tips, ideas and information.

Electronic Lab Notebook Ideas?

I'm looking for a replacement for the traditional paper and pen for recording research notes and results. Software geared specifically towards physics would be great, though not necessary. Does Anyone have any suggestions? What about using a wiki? What about using a "version control system"? Perferably, the method/software should be compliant with 24 CFR Part 11 (and for any electronic requirements stated by the US Patent Office), though, again, not essential.

use excel. the rows and columns are ideal for this.

Print it and sign it to comply with the patent office standards.

Midshipman Sentenced For Stealing Lab Equipment
A military judge sentenced a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman to one year in the brig on Thursday for stealing about $28,000 worth of electronic lab equipment from the academy and...

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