Work and Power Experiments for Science Fairs

Work and power experiments for science fairs are very popular. These projects look at how energy is used during the process of doing work as well as how power can be generated. If you are interested in doing one of these projects then you first need to figure out which angle you want to take.

The first angle that your work and power experiments for science fairs can take is to focus on power. Energy science fair projects can look at unique ways to generate energy or they can look at renewable energy sources. Both of these options are fantastic, as there is a current need for new energy sources to be developed. To help you generate ideas for these type of physics science fair projects complete the following sample experiment which will help you generate a small amount of electricity using a lemon.

Project to Make a Battery From a Lemon

Materials

Procedure

1. Have your older friend or an adult strip 2 inches of insulation off the copper wire. Clip the 2 inches of bare wire with the clippers.

2. Straighten out the paper clip and cut about 2 inches of the straightened steel wire, or use a 2-inch piece or strip of zinc.

3. Use sandpaper to smooth any rough spots on the ends of the wire and paper clip or piece of zinc.

4. Squeeze the lemon gently with your hands. But don't rupture the lemon's skin. Rolling it on a table with a little pressure works great.

Push the pieces of the paper clip and the wire into the lemon so they are as close together as you can get them without touching.

Moisten your tongue with saliva. Touch the tip of your wet tongue to the free ends of the two wires.

You should be able to feel a slight tingle on the tip of your tongue and taste something metallic.

The second angle that your work and power experiments for science fairs can take is to focus on the physical process of doing work. Physics science fair projects can look at the force required to do work or the energy required to do work. You can also experiment with ways to make common types of work easier to do using simple or complex tools.

You can also make a Lemon Clock for primary grade children or solar power science fair projects for middle school and high school kids.

Maglev trains student science fair projects are very interesting. They take a look at the various ways to levitate a train using the power of magnets. If this is an area of science that interests you then you have several great electronics science experiments to choose from. Here are just a few options.