Using stored electrical energy

1. Charge up the capacitor with the Genecon and quickly disconnect it.

2. Connect the charged-up capacitor to power your air cart. Coil up the extra wire so that it doesn't rub against the wheels. Try it several times. How far will it go?

3. Another possible way to use the energy from the capacitor is to warm up the heat cell. Place the tip of the Temperature probe in the small hole in one end of the heat cell.

4. Close the heat cell in its insulating box by wrapping it with a rubber band and connecting the two clip leads to the metal wires that are sticking out.

5. Connect the Temperature probe to your handheld computer. Refer to Technical Hints to connect the Temperature probe.

6. Start the software for the Temperature probe.

7. Charge up the capacitor again with the Genecon and quickly disconnect it.

8. Connect the capacitor to the heat cell with two clip leads and observe the temperature versus time graph.

9. Zoom in on the graph until you can read the temperature change. Continue testing until you get a good temperature graph.

10. Save your data to the handheld computer.

11. Sketch the temperature graph. How long does it take for the energy from the capacitor to transfer into the heat cell? Record your thoughts in Notes on your handheld computer.

12. Calculate how much heat energy was stored in the capacitor. The heat cell contains 10 joules for each degree of temperature rise. How many joules of energy were obtained? Record your calculations in Notes on your handheld computer.