Science Fair Project
Pfizer Fun Zone, fun stuff, plus a great page of links to other science sites
CyberFair, an online science fair
IPL's Science Fair Project Resource Guide, a great place to start!
Science Net, the Internet Public Library's science section
Try Science!, fun and cool stuff to do
The Yuckiest Site on the Internet, all the gross science that kids love
Windows to the Universe, everything you wanted to know about the universe, (content can be adjusted from beginner to advanced)
The Invention Dimension, check out the links and resources page (sites for the kid in all of us)
Ask Dr. Universe, the world's smartest cat!
The Mad Scientist Network, lots of great experiments in the lab
Back Display Template
Purpose:
I saw ads on TV that say Eveready batteries “keep going and going and going.” I wanted to find out for myself if Duracell batteries are able to last longer than Eveready batteries.
Hypothesis
Duracell batteries last longer than Eveready batteries.
Materials
2 Duracell D cell batteries
2 Eveready D cell batteries
1 Clock
1 Flashlight
1 Roll of electrical tape
4 12” long pieces of 24 gauge insulated wire
1 Permanent marker
Procedure
1. Take apart the flashlight and lay the parts on a board.
2. Use of permanent marker and put labels on each battery. A1 and A2 for Eveready and B1 and B2 for Duracell.
3. The flashlight and the clock are wired together in a “series” type circuit by running a wire from the bottom of flashlight’s negative connection to the negative connection of the clock. Next a wire is run from the clock’s positive battery connection to the flashlight’s positive connection but left loose.
4. The first trial uses Eveready batteries.
5. The clock is set to 12:00. All wires are tightened. Electrical tape is used to secure and safeguard the connections. Clock and light are checked to see if they are both on and operating correctly.
6. Clock and light are checked each hour for normal operation and noted on an observation log labeled Trial 1.
7. Experiment ends when the clock stops. Time is noted on the observation log.
8. Repeat the procedure using the second Eveready battery. Mark the observation in a log labeled Trial 2.
9. Repeat the procedure for Trial 3 and 4 using the Duracell batteries.
|
Which Battery Lasts Longer? |
||||
|
Eveready A1 |
Eveready A2 |
Duracell B1 |
Duracell B2 |
|
| Length of time |
133 min. |
124 min. |
106 min. |
143 min. |
|
Which Battery Lasts Longer on Average? |
||||
|
Eveready A1 |
Eveready A2 |
Duracell B1 |
Duracell B2 |
|
| Total length of time A1+A2 | A1 + A2 = 257 min. 133 + 124 = 257 min. |
B1+B2=249 min.106 + 143 = 249 |
||
| Average | 257 /2 = 128.5 min. |
249 /2 = 124.5 min. |
||
Results
I observed that the Eveready batteries lasted longer than the Duracell batteries. I checked the clock and the flashlight each hour to be sure it was working correctly and noted the time the clock stopped. I ran two trials with each brand and took the average time of each battery’s output as my final result.
Conclusions
My hypothesis was Duracell D batteries last longer than Eveready D batteries. My experiment did not prove my hypothesis. I think if I did the experiment using more batteries the average time of each brand would be closer. I did not note the date of manufacture of the batteries. The Duracell battery that scored the lowest was older than the other batteries. it would be important to compare batteries that have the same date of manufacture. I did not note the temperature in the room. Based on my readings, temperature effects how well batteries work. To be accurate the temperature during each trial run needed to be the same.
Based on my trials using two batteries from each brand I came to the conclusion that Eveready D batteries last longer on average than Duracell batteries.
Bibiography
Microsoft Encarta CD 2001
World Book 1998 CD
How Stuff Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/battery1.htm
Science Joy Wagon
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/lesson/07electr/ electri/sercir/series.html