the science of Interstellar

1. INTERSTELLAR
E-twinning project
By Gabriel, Lisa,
Sara, Jany and
Linde

2. WHAT KEEPS THE DRONE IN FLIGHT?
• How does a drone work? For what purpose can we use it?
• How can I calculate the power?
• How does a solar panel work?
• For the drone in the movie, is it possible to fly for 10 years uninterruptedly?

3. HOW DOES A DRONE WORK? FOR
WHAT PURPOSE CAN WE USE IT?
The single purpose of the drone in this film is to observe things.
It’s a machine without pilot and that works with electric energy.

4. A drone is made from several components that
cooperates with each other, on that way keeps the
drone his stability. There are 6 components:
• Flightcontroller: It measures the discomposure’s and correct them.
• GPS: It measures the position of the drone.
• Motors: Drones have at least 3 motors and maximum 12 motors.
• Configuration: There are always just as much propellers/motors on the left
side like one the right side. This is important for the stability.
• Electronic speed controller: Each motor of a drone is controlled by a ESC. A
ESC is very sensitive for heat and vibration.
• Propellers: A propellor is usually made of carbon or wood, that softens the
vibration.

5. We can use a drone for several things:
• To make a movie
• Entertainment
• Inspection
• Security
• Transport
• Aid
• Defence

6. FOR THE DRONE IN THE MOVIE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO
FLY FOR 10 YEARS UNINTERRUPTEDLY?
• Yes and no:
 Yes, in the movie lasted the battery 10 years. During the day
gained the drone energy by solar panels. Then this energy was
used during the whole day. And at night used the drone the
energy of the batteries who loaded during the day.
 No, because batteries can’t last for 10 years without changing
them.

7. HOW CAN I CALCULATE THE POWER?
Power (P) is the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.
Formula:
The units are: joule (J) for the work, seconds (s) for the time and watt (W) for the power.
From this formula we can understand that the power is higher when the work can be done
in less time.

8. • The drone uses electric power: The electric power can be calculated by multiplying the
voltage. The units of measurements are volt (V) for the voltage, ampere (A) for the
current and watt for the power (W).
• The electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred to another form,
which can be for example heat or motion. Basically, it is the work done in an electrical
circuit for the energy to be converted. The power is produced by a generator or by
batteries.
Formula electric power:
P = V *i

9. • But, we have to consider that the drone in the movie works by using the energy that’s
provided by solar panels, Therefore, we need to know how much electricity the solar
panels produce (known as output).
• We can do that applying this formula:
E = A*r*H*PR

10. HOW DOES A SOLAR PANEL WORK?
• What: A solar cell is a sandwich of n-type silicon (blue)
and p-type silicon (red). It generates electricity by using
sunlight to make electrons hop across the junction
between the different flavors of silicon

11. MATERIAL

12. WORKING
1) The atoms in the silicon crystals in the solar panels are surrounded by electrons:
2) The sunlight falls on the crystals of silicon and "electrons" are
ejected and bounce around randomly:

13. 3) This leaves behind an electron hole:
4) When an electron finds this hole and recombines, it
creates energy which we can capture as electricity