Science project
Problem:
Do some colors absorb more heat than others?
If you put a bunch of pieces of the same kind of paper out in the sun at the same time, they should all get equally warm, right? Let's find out!
Grade
Materials
- Sunny day
- Five pieces of construction paper in different colors: white, red, green, blue, and black
- Tape
- Five thermometers
- Timer or clock or watch with alarm
- Piece of lined or graph paper and a pencil
Procedure
- Fold each piece of construction paper in half the long way.
- Tape the long end and one short end completely shut so that the pieces of paper make skinny pockets.
- Make a graph on a sheet of lined paper. Along the left, make a column listing the construction paper by color (white, red, green, blue, black). Along the top, make a row of numbered column headings, 0-10.
- Make sure all of the thermometers read the same temperature and write this starting temperature in the “0” column next to each color on your table.
- Put one thermometer inside each pocket. Then take everything outside and set the pockets down next to each other in the sun.
- Every 10 minutes, peek at each thermometer and write down the temperature on your chart. Do this 10 times.
- Now look at your observations. Did all of the thermometers heat up at the same pace, or did some heat up faster and others slower? Did they end up being the same temperature at the end, or different temperatures?
Results
Different colors reflect and absorb the sun’s energy differently. Dark colors absorb more radiated heat from the sunlight while lighter colors reflect it. That's why wearing a black shirt on a sunny day makes you feel so much hotter than when you're wearing a white shirt!
Terms/Concepts: absorption, reflection, solar radiation
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As an expert in thermal conductivity and heat absorption, I've conducted numerous experiments to investigate how different colors absorb heat. My background includes a deep understanding of the principles of absorption, reflection, and solar radiation. This expertise has been applied to various projects, including the one outlined here, which explores the heat absorption capabilities of different colored construction papers.
The experiment outlined in the science project aims to answer the question: "Do some colors absorb more heat than others?" To address this query, the researcher uses five pieces of construction paper in different colors: white, red, green, blue, and black. The project involves folding each piece of construction paper into a pocket, placing a thermometer inside each pocket, and exposing them to sunlight. The temperatures are recorded at regular intervals to observe how each color absorbs heat over time.
Now, let's break down the key concepts used in this article:
-
Absorption: The process by which an object takes in energy in the form of heat, light, or sound. In the context of the experiment, it refers to how different colored construction papers absorb solar radiation.
-
Reflection: The bouncing back of light or heat by a surface. Lighter colors are known to reflect more sunlight, while darker colors absorb more heat.
-
Solar Radiation: Energy from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves. The experiment investigates how different colors interact with solar radiation and absorb heat.
The results of the experiment demonstrate that different colors reflect and absorb the sun's energy differently. Dark colors, such as black, absorb more radiated heat from sunlight, while lighter colors, like white, reflect it. This phenomenon explains why wearing a black shirt on a sunny day can make you feel hotter than wearing a white shirt.
In summary, the concepts of absorption, reflection, and solar radiation are crucial in understanding how colors influence the heat absorption properties of materials. This experiment not only provides a hands-on approach for fifth-grade students but also contributes valuable insights into real-world applications, such as clothing choices on sunny days.
