Project #2 – We be chillin’ (WBC)

Course (PHY 111) )Topics Addressed:

II.                 Fluids

A.     Pressure

B.      Viscosity

C.     Fluid statics

D.     Fluid dynamics

III.               Heat

A.     Temperature

B.      Internal energy and heat

C.     Change of state

D.     Thermal properties of matter

E.     Thermodynamics

Competencies Addressed:

1.      Explain the application of fundamental physical principles to various physical phenomena.

2.      Apply the Scientific Method to physical phenomena for hypothesis development, experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis.

3.      Effectively communicate qualitative and quantitative information, orally and in writing.

4.      Apply appropriate problem-solving techniques to practical and meaningful problems, using graphical, mathematical, and written modeling tools.

5.      Work effectively in collaborative groups.

Design Project Summary – Build a cooling system that will lower the temperature within Styrofoam cooler at least 5 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature.

General Project Information - This is a team activity. You will be assigned to a team of 3-4 people. Each member of the team is expected to be able to serve as team spokesperson and to be fully involved with all aspects of the team’s entries. The entries are to reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members.

The team may not spend more than $40 total for their WBC project (a budget with receipts is required). All team members must share equally in project costs. Items typically considered to be household junk may be used without cost penalty. Acceptable “junk” includes: string, clothes hangers, scrap metal and wood, tape, etc. Unacceptable “junk” includes motors, squirrel cages, etc. In other words, you would need to purchase motors and the like, or you must charge fair market value against your budget.

Each team will make a PowerPoint presentation and will submit a written technical report. The presentations will take place the day of the cooler demonstrations and the report will be due the class period immediately following the demonstrations.

Each team member will maintain an individual class notebook. The notebook will be due the class period immediately following the competition/demonstrations.

WBC Specifics

• A standard 12 pack Styrofoam cooler will begin at room temperature. You will connect your cooling system to the cooler through a 10 cm X 10 cm square hole. A computer-based temperature monitoring system will track the interior temperature for 5 minutes. You can choose to have the cooler vented or not.
• You may purchase cooling components (i.e. motors, impellers, compressor, tubing, squirrel cage, etc.) but not cooling sub-systems (i.e. water pump, heat exchanger, etc.)
• You may not use any aerosols, ice or any other precooled elements.
• The cooling mechanism must be easily accessible by the judges.
• Safety should be your #1 concern throughout construction and testing. Be sure to read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions for all tools, equipment and materials you use. Proper eye protection and ventilation are a must. Use of dangerous high-pressure systems and/or hazardous materials should be avoided at all costs. Never handle moving parts while still moving. Always unplug all electrical systems/equipment before working on them.
• The formula used to judge the performance of your cooling system will give the best score for the greatest amount of cooling during 5 minutes of operation.

Project Evaluation Criteria - WBC Construction and Operation

Team Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Judge’s Name:__________________________________

Ambient Temp T_A = ____________ degrees C

Minimum Temp T_M = ____________ degrees C

Cooler Temp TC (this data will be collected continuously for 5 minutes)

Raw score N = ____________ (N=0 if T_M T_A at 5 minutes)

Class max raw score N_max = ____________

Final Score F = ____________

(This calculation will be done numerically from computer data)

Team Written Technical Report - WBC

Each team must submit a written report describing the design, construction and operation of their cooler. The report must be a computer printed document on 8 ½” X 11” white paper, double-spaced with 1” margins all around, 12 point font size and Times New Roman font. Report must be 5-10 pages in length (not including Appendices).

1. Cover Page

1. Cooler Name
2. Team Name
3. Team Member Names
4. Report Date
5. Abstract (½ page summary)

2. Table of Contents
3. Introduction
4. Design
5. Construction Procedure
6. Cooler Operation
7. Conclusion/Recommendations
8. Appendices

6. Cooler Drawings (front, side and top)
7. Performance Data (tables and graphs of pertinent fluid/temp data)
8. Budget (materials list and copies of receipts)

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Precision – reader able to replicate WBC (0-10 points) _____

Mechanics – college level writing (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

PowerPoint Presentation

The presentation should be 8-12 minutes in length and each team member should have a specific role in the presentation. The presentation should include:

1. Technical Details

1. Drawings
2. Performance Data

2. Design Challenges/Successes
3. Suggestions for Improvement
4. Physics Highlights/Lowlights

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Interest – kept audiences’ attention (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

Individual Class Notebook

Each student must submit a notebook with the following sections:

1        Daily Activity Journal - include a brief entry for every physics related activity (i.e. class, team meeting, individual study)

a)      Date

b)      Time In/Out

c)      Summary

d)      Findings

e)      Questions

2        Project Summary-

a)      Abstract (~250 words)

b)      What worked/didn’t

c)      Data and analysis

i                       Table(s)

ii                     Graph(s)

iii                    Equations/Calculations

iv                   Error Analysis

3        Project Self/Peer Evaluation

a)      Quality of work

b)      Quantity of work

c)      Comments

4        Competency Evidence – list of course competencies and evidence of how each was attained

5        Topic Coverage – explain/describe physics topics included in this project

a)      English definition

b)      Graphical representation(s)

c)      Mathematical representation(s)

d)      Application to this project

e)      Application to other area(s) of your life

6        (Optional) Summary/Synthesis of other teams’ projects

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-50 points (10 pts/section)) _____

Mechanics – legible, college level writing (0-20 points) _____

Optional Summary (0-10 points) _____

Optional Synthesis (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

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