Data Sheet

ManualsBrandsThames and Kosmos ManualsThames and Kosmos KitsPhysics Solar Workshop V2 Kit

Mastering inclines

YOU WILL NEED

› The assembled bug in the solar

configuration

›

Board (shelf)

› Books

› Towel

HERE’S HOW

1. Now things are going to get challenging, at

least for your solar bug. Place a board

measuring about 80 or 100 centimeters in

length — such as a shelf or binder — as an

inclined surface in front of your solar bug.

You can use a book as the support for the

higher end.

2. Try to get your solar bug to climb up the

incline. What is the steepest slope it can

climb? Change the angle of inclination by

changing the thickness or number of books.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The legs of your solar bug are driven by

an “eccentric.” In this case, the eccentric

is the red plug that fastens the green

rod to the blue gear. Since the plug is

not in the center of the gear, it is able to

convert the rotational movement of

the gear into a longitudinal

movement. As a result, the bug

doesn’t roll but walks like an insect

instead.

DID YOU KNOW ?

The Mars rover

Opportunity (see page

16) was also designed

to climb. This enabled

it to explore the hill

called “Solander

Point” at the edge of a

crater on Mars.

Solander Point rises

some 40 meters above the surrounding plain.

KEYWORD: INSECT

Researchers have discovered a dye in the belly of the oriental hornet

with which the animal generates electric current from sunlight. In

emulating the hornets’ solar cells, they were able to generate a

current of about a half-volt. It’s still unclear what the hornets need

the current for. The conversion of solar energy might influence the

animals’ metabolism.

EXPERIMENT 9