Plan
- Which objects do you expect will absorb the most solar energy?
- What colour do you think will become the hottest?
- What materials do you think will absorb the most solar energy and become the hottest?
Do
- Place a variety of objects (that are made from different materials and are different colours) into direct sunlight.
- After an hour, carefully feel each object to see which objects have become the hottest. You can do this by holding your hand over top of the object (rather than actually touching it) or using an infrared thermometer.
Review
- Which colours absorbed more solar energy?
- Which materials absorbed more solar energy?
- Why is this the case that some materials, and some colours will absorb more solar energy?
- How could you use this new knowledge to design solar panels?
-
Remember to submit your activities on our Scouts for Sustainability Take Action Map
Materials
- Objects in various materials and colours - if it is very sunny, do not use things that will get hot enough to burn you (e.g. metal).
Keep it Simple
- Start simple and test which colours get warmest in the sun. Grab some cotton t-shirts in different colours and lay them out in the sun. Which ones get the warmest?
Take it Further
- Harness the power of the sun to make a meal using a solar oven!
