5.67. Chemical and Solar Cells http://www.ck12.org
Summary
- Current requires a source of voltage, which is a difference in electric potential energy. Sources of voltage
include chemical cells and solar cells. - Chemical cells are found in batteries. They produce voltage by means of chemical reactions. They contain
electrodes and an electrolyte, which may be a paste (dry cell) or a liquid (wet cell). - Solar cells convert the energy in sunlight to electrical energy. They contain a material such as silicon that
absorbs light energy and gives off electrons.
Vocabulary
- chemical cell: Source of voltage found in batteries that consists of two electrodes suspended in an electrolyte
and produces voltage by chemical reactions. - solar cell: Source of voltage that converts the energy in sunlight to electrical energy; also called photovoltaic
cell.
Explore More
Launch the interactive at the following URL to learn more about solar cells. Then answer the questions below. http
://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/how-solar-cell-works.html
- Why does a solar cell have an antireflective coating?
- How is the silicon in a solar cell “doped” so it will conduct electricity?
- Explain how an electric field is established in the solar cell.
- Describe how photons from the sun affect the silicon layers of a solar cell.
- What parts of a solar cell conduct electricity into a wire so it can be used for electric devices?
Review
- What is voltage? How is it related to electric current?
- How does a chemical cell produce current?
- Explain how a solar cell works.