Lab #1

What color absorbs Name the sun's heat best?

Problem: What color absorbs the sun's heat best?

Hypothesis:

Procedure:
1. Gather the following: black paper, white paper and foil.
2. Place black paper, white paper and foil on the lid of a box.
3. Tape a thermometer on each material. Remember to tape it so you can read the scale.
4. Place the box lid so that the shadow is cast directly behind the box. Start the stopwatch and move behind the box.
5. Record the temperature for each material every 5 minutes for up to 30 minutes.
6. Be certain to record your observations of weather conditions as well as any other factors that may influence the results of your test.
7. Graph the data.

Data Table:

Observations:

Conclusions:

Lab #2

How does the angle of the sun's Name rays relate to solar collection devices?

PART I

Problem: What is the angle of the sun's rays on _______ (date) at ________(time).

Materials:
2-meter sticks
1-Table of Trigonometric Ratios

Procedure:
1. Place one meter stick on the ground and the other so that a 90 degree angle is formed.
2. Adjust the sticks so that a shadow is cast on the meter stick on the ground. Record the length of the shadow.
3. Calculations: Altitude = 1 meter Distance = shadow length Tangent Theta = Altitude divided by Distance
4. Use the Table of Trigonometric Ratios and the Tangent Theta value to find the angle of the sun's rays.
5. The complementary angle formed (angle of the sun’s rays substracted from 90o) determines the slope of the collector face.

PART II

Problem: What is the best angle to place a solar collecting device?

Materials:
3-pieces of board covered with black paper
3-thermometers protractor timing device tape

Procedure:
1. Cover the board with black paper.
2. Fold the base to create the complementary angle determined.
3. Fold another board to create an angle that is 30 degrees greater than the complementary angle.
4. Fold the third board to create an angle that is 30 degrees less than the complementary angle.
5. Tape a thermometer to the face of each collector.
6. Place each in direct sunlight and record the temperature every three minute for up to 27 minutes.
7. Be certain to write down any observations that may account for discrepancies in your data.
8. Graph the results.

Data:

Observations: