USING ENERGY

FROM THE SUNCONVERTING ENERGY FROM ONE FORM TO

ANOTHER

OBJECTIVES

BY THE END OF THIS LESSON YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SAY “I CAN…”

• BUILD A DEVICE THAT CONVERTS LIGHT INTO HEAT.

• EXPLAIN THE PRINCIPLES OF HEAT TRANSFER INCLUDING CONVECTION, CONDUCTION, AND RADIATION.

• EXPLAIN WHY CERTAIN MATERIALS INCREASE OR DECREASE HEAT.

• EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES TO SOLAR COOKING.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT….

• HOW CAN YOU USE THE SUN TO COOK FOOD?

• WHEN WOULD YOU EVER NEED TO USE THE SUN TO COOK FOOD?

• WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN THINK OF TO USE THE SUN TO COOK FOOD?

SOLAR COOKERS

Brief video on solar cookers from National Geographic

THE THREE TYPES OF SOLAR COOKERSPANEL STYLE COOKERS

BOX-STYLE COOKERS

PARABOLIC COOKERS

TIMELINEMATERIALS ALREADY AVAILABLE:

• OVEN THERMOMETERS

• REYNOLDS OVEN COOKING BAGS

• PLASTIC WRAP

• ALUMINUM FOIL

• BLACK CONSTRUCTION PAPER

• MASKING TAPE

• SUN SHADE

Day 1 Day 2 Outside of class

Day 3

Introduction to solar cookers

Bring materials needed to class

Finish building solar cooker.

Test solar cookers.

Student research and draft design of cooker

Build solar cookers

Refine it using principles you’ve learned.

Measure temperature increase every 10 minutes.

Develop materials list

Make sure your space is clean and you solar cooker is in a safe place.

Complete and turn in Student Guides.

PART 1: STUFF YOU SHOULD

KNOWPRINCIPLES THAT WILL HELP YOU BUILD A BETTER

SOLAR COOKER

CONVECTION, CONDUCTION, RADIATION

Radiation

ConductionConvection

Convection Conduction Radiation

Currents are created when there are differences in temperature and density within a fluid or gas.

The transfer of heat by direct contact between two materials with different temperatures.

The movement of heat waves.

GIVE EXAMPLES OF…Radiation Convection Conduction

SOLAR COOKING TIPS

•CONCENTRATE THE LIGHT

•CONVERT THE LIGHT INTO HEAT

•CAPTURE AND RETAIN THE HEAT

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONVERT THE MOST LIGHT INTO HEAT?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONCENTRATE THE LIGHT?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CAPTURE AND RETAIN HEAT?

BREAK INTO GROUPS

DEVELOP AND DESIGN YOUR GROUP’S SOLAR COOKER.

DEVELOP YOUR MATERIALS LIST.

PART 2: SOLAR

COOKING MISSIONBUILD YOUR DESIGN

BRING ME YOUR LIST AND DESIGN TO RECEIVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• REYNOLDS OVEN COOKING BAGS

• PLASTIC WRAP

• ALUMINUM FOIL

• BLACK CONSTRUCTION PAPER

• MASKING TAPE

• SUN SHADES

PART 3: SOLAR

COOKING MISSIONTEST YOUR SOLAR COOKER

YOUR MISSION: S-MORES

YOUR GOAL IS TO MELT THE MARSHMALLOW AND THE CHOCOLATE (REMEMBER, THEY WILL COOK AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS)

PLACE THERMOMETER INSIDE YOUR SOLAR COOKER.

CHECK AND WRITE THE TEMPERATURE EVERY 10 MINUTES.

MAKE OBSERVATIONS AND ADJUST YOUR SOLAR COOKER AS NEEDED (JUST REMEMBER TO WRITE DOWN MODIFICATIONS).

REVIEW OBJECTIVESCAN YOU BUILD A DEVICE THAT CONVERTS LIGHT INTO HEAT?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DYNAMICS OF HEAT TRANSFER INCLUDING CONVECTION, CONDUCTION, AND RADIATION?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY CERTAIN MATERIALS INCREASE OR DECREASE HEAT?

CAN YOU RELATE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLAR COOKERS TO OTHER SYSTEMS (COOLING AND HEATING OF HOMES)?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR COOKING.?