Energy Conservation Lab

Purpose To determine which type of light bulb is the most energy efficient.

Hypothesis IF an incandescent and a fluorescent light bulb are tested, THEN the __________ light bulb will have a __________ temperature, Because it is __________ energy efficient.

Materials 1 table lamp Incandescent light bulb Fluorescent light bulb 2 thermometers 1 ruler 1 timer

Identification of Variables Manipulated: Type of light bulb Responding: Temperature Controlled (2): Distance from light bulb Distance from light bulb same light bulb wattage same light bulb wattage

Procedure 1. Gather materials. 2. Plug in and adjust the lamps so the light bulbs are 10cm away from the countertop using the ruler. 3. Place the thermometers on the countertop under each lamp. 4. Read the temperature ( o C) of each thermometer and record in the data table as the initial temperature.

Procedure 5. Turn on each lamp and time them for 2 minutes using the stopwatch. 6. Observe and record the temperature ( o C) of each thermometer at 2 minutes. 7. Continue observing and recording temperature measurements at 2 minute increments for a span of 10 minutes. 8. Turn off the lamps, allow them to cool, and clean up.

Data Table Type of light bulb initial temp. 0 C 2 minutes 4 minutes 6 minutes 8 minutes 10 minutes Change in temp. Incandescent fluorescent

Graph Make a time versus temperature graph of your data. Time on the x-axis (horizontal) Temperature on the y-axis (vertical)

Analysis Questions 1. What is the purpose of a light bulb? 2. Why do light bulbs get hot? 3. Which light bulb was more efficient? Provide evidence. 4. Draw a diagram of the investigative set-up. Indicate and explain on the diagram where errors are likely to occur. 5. Draw a diagram of an alternative set up. Include and explain any changes made to eliminate errors.

Conclusion Write a conclusion using the “How to write an 8 th grade lab write-up” handout.