RUNNING HEAD: PROGRESS REPORT 2 1

Progress Report 2

Noah Egan, Alen Jomon, Shahid Khan

Governor’s School at Innovation Park

Dr. Psaker

November 29th, 2018

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Heating Scuba Divers Underwater

Objectives: As of November 20th, 2018, we have submitted an order form for the

following items:

 Arduino Kit

 Permatex Adhesive Silicone Sealant

 Mini Modular Breadboard

 28-Gauge Tarnish Resistant Copper Wire

 Primode Sponge Neoprene Roll

 9V 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery

Through further research, we have determined that most batteries cannot last very long,

because the low resistance means the battery is producing a very high current, which can result

in the battery dying after a short period of time. We are looking into longer lasting power

sources, such as portable chargers. We are also going to connect the batteries in parallel, and

experimentally determine battery life and current output. Connecting two batteries in parallel

will double the current output, with the lithium ion battery we ordered it would be a 1600mAh

output. We could also connect them both in series and in parallel, which would raise the voltage

and current output. We are now testing nichrome wire as well, after learning about the current

limitations of the batteries (heat generated is proportional to power loss, which is equal to the

current squared multiplied by resistance, when current is constant, or at its limit). To increase

current capacity, we may need to use lower gauge wiring. We now have a better plan that

considers more variables and factors for our design. We also researched and determined the

correct formula for the ideal heating of a wire (used in methods section), which is a proof of

concept that a copper or nichrome wire can heat up to a high temperature.

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In the next two weeks, we plan to design plausible models of our device. Using the

design matrix, we will possibly narrow down to two designs that will fit our needs and

expectations of the device. If time allows, we will begin to test components underwater which

will provide us a basis for a working prototype.

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Materials and Methods

This is the formula used to calculate the temperature in a wire under ideal conditions,

with no cooling:

𝐼 2 𝑅∆𝑡
Formula: ∆𝑇 = 𝑚𝐶

𝐼 = Current (Amperes, A)

𝑅 = Resistivity (Ohms, Ω)

𝛥𝑡 = Change in Time (seconds, s)

𝑚 = Mass (kilograms, kg)

𝐶 = Specific Heat of the Object (𝐽/𝑔℃ )

𝛥𝑇 = Change in Temperature (℃)

Figure 1. The image above represents our estimation of heat change in a 28 Gauge Copper Wire,

according to known values, change in time is preset as 1 second.

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We have also changed our planned procedure slightly from before. We will now add

these steps into our procedure:

 While setting up the battery pack, we will connect two or more batteries in parallel. This

is done by connecting the positive terminal of one battery to the positive terminal of the

other, then connecting the negative terminals in the same manner. This doubles the

maximum current and the battery life, while holding a specific current.

 We will also test nichrome wire, to see if it heats up faster than the copper wire. Now that

we know the current limitations of higher gauge wires and portable batteries, we cannot

output an arbitrarily high current. This means that the resistance should be raised (Since

power loss by heat is equal to current squared multiplied by resistance). We will test the

rate of heating of both nichrome wire and copper wire. We will also test a lower gauge

wire of each material. We will do this by using a thermocouple and recording its

readings.
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Data and Results

Our materials are under shipment; therefore, we were not able to do lab testing with our

apparatus. However, we used the formula outlined in the methods section to theoretically give us

what temperature the wire would reach under ideal conditions (no heat conductance or radiation),

and this just gives us the temperature inside the wire. This is a proof of concept, and simply

shows that it is possible for copper wire to heat up significantly. The resulting change in

temperature is very obviously not what would happen in real life, because heat would be lost

quickly in a metal like copper, but we will need to experiment to find out the amount of heat lost

to estimate better in future predictions.

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Bibliography

Menezes, R. (2017, August 07). How to Convert Wattage to Degrees. Retrieved November 27,

2018, from https://sciencing.com/how-8643971-convert-wattage-degrees.html

Stubbing, J. (2018, November 24). AUS-e-TUTE : Chemistry Teaching and Learning Resources.

Retrieved November 27, 2018, from http://ausetute.com.au/

Blattenberger, K. (n.d.). Copper Wire Properties Guage Size Resistance Current AWG.

Retrieved November 26, 2018, from http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/wire-

cu.htm