Genecons capacitors

 6 volt bulbs in holders connecting wire

 analog multimeters breadboard

 various batteries, battery holders electric exoergic devices (thermometer strips)

The Genecons are fragile instruments. Dropping a Genecon can permanently damage it. Cranking the handle too fast can strip the gears and render the Genecon permanently useless.

On the other hand, the Genecon is also a powerful instrument. If it is cranked too rapidly, the Genecon can generate sufficient voltage to burn out a light bulb or to blow the fuse on the analog multimeter.

 Please DO NOT USE THE GENECONS or THE ANALOG MULTIMETERS until the instructor has taught you how to use the analog multimeter properly and to read the scale.

1) The working of an analog multimeter is similar to the working of a galvanometer, which

was described in Figure 20-22, section 20-8. The instructor will help you understand

which ports the red and black leads should be plugged into and also how to read the

scale(s) which is a bit tricky. Please make sure that you understand how to read the

scale, depending on which dial the multimeter is set to in this lab. In this lab you

should only be measuring voltage differences (never current) with the multimeter.

2) Spend a few minutes in general investigation of the Genecon connected to (in turn) a

multimeter, a light bulb, a battery, the exoergic device, a capacitor (can you charge it?

how do you know it's charged?), another Genecon, and even your own two hands (no

other body parts, please). Record all your observations in your lab book (of course).

Throughout, take care not to crank the Genecon too fast.

 Also, keep in mind that this is a physics experiment. Be thinking about what you

observe and how it ties into what you already know or learned from the book. If there is

something you don't understand, please ask.

3) Is the Genecon a generator or a motor? Explain.

4) You will spend the majoirty of the time investigating (five or six data points) the

 relationship between two variables (which might include input cranking frequency,

output cranking frequency, voltage input, voltage output, temperature rise; perhaps how

long a light bulb stays lit by a capacitor as a function of the number of cranks used to

charge the capacitor). Before coming to lab, spend some time thinking carefully about

one possible relationship that you might investigate; make sure that your experiment

can be performed realistically in a reasonable amount of time. Once in class, partners

can choose their investigation. We will list experiments on the blackboard, so that later-

 choosing groups do not over-duplicate.

5) Graph your results on the TI calculator; dependent variable on the vertical axis (of

course). Draw a fairly accurate rendition of the graph in your lab book; it should

occupy at least one half-page; don't forget to include data points, in addition to the best-

 fit line (or curve). And include the fit parameters (e.g., slope and intercept) with units (of

course). Make sure that all graphing standards have been met (title, etc.)