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Adrien Hilton - Solar Ovens Lab Report

The document describes an experiment testing how the material used to line a solar oven affects the temperature inside. Black construction paper and aluminum foil were tested, with temperature recorded every two minutes. The black construction paper caused the temperature to increase at a higher rate due to absorbing radiation better than the shiny aluminum foil.

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36 views3 pages

Adrien Hilton - Solar Ovens Lab Report

The document describes an experiment testing how the material used to line a solar oven affects the temperature inside. Black construction paper and aluminum foil were tested, with temperature recorded every two minutes. The black construction paper caused the temperature to increase at a higher rate due to absorbing radiation better than the shiny aluminum foil.

Uploaded by

api-550218151
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Adrien Hilton

Physical Science
June 13, 2018

In our core classes we learned about food justices and injustices around the globe.
Specifically in physical science we learned about the agricultural standpoint of food justice. We
learned about organic agriculture and how farming with organic materials is good for the planet
as well as for our health. Industrial agriculture uses harsh chemicals and keeps animals in
unhealthy conditions, while farmers give them antibiotics to withstand such conditions. The solar
oven could be the next step in helping our earth stay healthy and leave no people hungry.
In this solar oven experiment we will be testing how the material used in lining the inside
of the solar oven affects the rise of temperature inside the box. If the inside of the box is lined in
black construction paper, then the temperature in the box will be greater because darker colors
increase in temperature at a higher rate.

Materials:
- Cardboard box (pizza box)
- Aluminum Foil
- Black construction paper
- Piece of plexiglass
- Ruler or stick
- scissors
- tape
- S’mores (marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate)
- Vernier Temperature Probe

Procedure: Making the Solar Oven


1. On the top flap of your cardboard box cut a square hole leaving the side where the hinge
of the box connects uncut. (as shown in diagram cut along the dotted lines)

2. Tape a piece of plexiglass ( or clear material) over the whole on the underside of the
larger flap
3. On the flap you just created cover the side facing the inside of the box in aluminum foil
(make sure not to put a lot of wrinkles in it)
4. Cover the inside of the box in the variable you want to test first (black paper or foil)
5. Make your s’mores and you're ready to test your solar oven!

Procedure: Testing your Variables


1. Make sure it’s a sunny day to test your oven
2. Place your oven in the direction of the sun
3. Position the aluminum flap up with your ruler (or stick)
4. Place the Vernier Temp. Probe inside the box
5. Record the temperature inside the box every 2 minutes
6. Repeat with second variable (black paper or foil)

Time Aluminum Foil (degrees celsius) Black Construction Paper

1:32 pm 30 34

1:34 pm 32.5 37

1:36 pm 33 37.5

1:38 pm 34 40

1:40 pm 36 42

1:42 pm 36.5 43.5

1:44 pm 37 45

1:46 pm 39 47

1:48 pm 41 50

1:50 pm 43 52

The black construction paper caused the temperature in the box to increase at a higher
rate than the box with the aluminum foil. This is due to radiation, dull darker materials absorb
radiation better than a shiny materials. Shiny materials such as aluminum foil reflect the
radiation rather that absorbing it. Darker materials such as black construction paper are also good
for emitting radiation absorbed causing the temperature in the box to increase at a higher rate.
To conclude this experiment did prove my hypothesis to be correct. The black
construction paper did increase the temperature in the box due to its dark color. Much like
wearing black jeans in the summer, when you sit in the sun it burns your leg from how hot it
gets. In the future I would put a greater time difference between the data collection. Instead of
every two minutes, I should change it to every five minutes to show a significant change in the
temperature. The concept of a solar oven could be used on a greater scale in developing countries
to decrease or even eliminate food injustices and deserts! In countries where electricity or means
of cooking is difficult to obtain people could use solar ovens to cook meals and warm foods.
Solar ovens could change the amount of carbon emissions for the better. In the US if people used
solar ovens rather than gas stoves, gas grills, etc. we could be one step closer to a healthier
planet.

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